Description of three willow clones

General description

Willows are fast growing reaching a maximum height of 14 metros. In favourable conditions their life span is 50 to 60 years but in arid sites growth, size and longevity are reduced. Unless pruned willows will be multistemmed with a wide spreading crown making them desirable for "climbing" trees. Older specimens may be very open near ground level. Male and female flowers occur on separate trees. Flowering usually takes place in early spring with fruit dispersed shortly after. Willows are most suitable for planting in moist, low lying areas because of their tolerance of flooding.

• Acute Willow (Salix acutifolia) has leaves measuring from 6-9 cm long and 1.5 -2 cm wide. The leaves have a shiny green upper surface with a duller green lower surface. The margins are finelytoothed and extend to a pointed tip. The tree is generally as wide as it is tall. In areas where there is sufficient moisture it is a hardy, fast growing tree reaching a height of about 3.5 m in five years. It is susceptible to the willow red gall sawfly. Acute willow is a female clone and has reddishbrown branches.
• Silverleaf Willow (Salix alba sericea) has leaves 4-6 cm long and 1 -1.5 cm wide with pubescent (hairy) upper and lower surfaces giving the silvery appearance. The margins are finely-toothed extending to a pointed tip. The average height is about 3 m after the first five years. It is fairly hardy and has shown resistance to the willow red gall sawfly. Silverleaf willow bark takes on a subtle orange colour with age. It is a male clone and more difficult to establish than Acute.
• Chermisina Willow (Salix alba chermisina) has leaves 5-12 cm long and 1 -3 cm wide with a shiny green upper surface. The margins are finely-toothed extending to a pointed tip. The tree is upright in growth habit and has a rapid growth rate of 5 m in five years. One very distinct characteristic is the vivid red or orange colour that the bark turns during winter. It is susceptible to willow red gall sawfly and may show some winter damage (tip dieback) in certain areas. It is more brittle than the other two willows resulting in more winter branch breakage. It is a male clone.

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