Hope Mueller, age 9, of E1 Paso, Tex., for her question:
ARE THERE MANY KINDS OF WILLOW TREES?
Willow is a large group of graceful trees and shrubs that usually have slender branches and narrow leaves. There are about 300 different kinds of willows and about 100 of them are native to the United States and Canada.
The smallest of all willows is a tiny shrub that doesn't grow to be more than one inch tall. It grows in arctic regions and above the timberline on high mountains. The largest of all willows is a beautiful tree that grows to be more than 125 feet high.
The twigs of the willow are very soft, slender and bend easily. Because of this, the wood is often used to make baskets and furniture. Willow wood also produces a high grade of charcoal that once was used to make gunpowder.
The bitter bark )of willows yields tannin, a substance that is used to tan leather, and salicin, a substance that is used in biochemical tests and as a medicine.
Willows often grow near water. Sometimes they are planted in damp regions so that their roots take up water and dry the soil. Actually, the roots interlace to form a tough network that holds the soil together and prevents soil erosion.
Sometimes willows are planted to provide shade and to protect fields from winds.
Most willows have long, narrow leaves that taper to a point and have finely toothed edges. Some willows have small, oval shaped leaves.
In early spring, willows produce upright clusters of tiny, yellowish green flowers. These flower clusters are called catkins because in some types of willows they resemble a cat's tail. The female flower develops a flask shaped pod that splits open and releases tiny seeds.
In the Eastern United States, an important tree is the black willow. Most willow lumber comes from this black willow. The wood is used mainly for boxes, crates, furniture, cabinetwork, caskets and for artificial limbs. The black willow has rough, dark bark.
Wicker furniture and baskets are usually made from young shoots of the shrubby basket willow. The basket willow grows in New York, Michigan and Europe.
The white willow is a popular decorative tree. The underside of its leaves appear white and silky.
The crack willow gets its name from the fact that its brittle twigs break off in high winds. The pussy willow develops furry catkins, and its twigs often are used as decorations.
The weeping willow is a native of China. It has graceful, drooping branches. This variety grows to be 30 to 50 feet tall. If left on its own, this tree will droop too low to furnish usable shade. The main stem should be staked up if you are growing one at home. The side branches should be removed to keep early growth directed into a tall main stem and high branching scaffold limbs.
This treatment will make it possible for you to walk under your tree without problem.
Willows are of the genus Salix. The scientific name for the weeping willow is Salix babylonica. The black willow is Salix nigra.