Part 61

Range: Vermont across southern Ontario to British Columbia, south to New Mexico, east across southern Illinois to central New York.

Distinguishing Features: This willow has broader leaves than almost any other willow in Illinois. The pale lower surface of the leaves also distinguishes it from the Black Willow.

CAROLINA WILLOW Salix caroliniana Michx.

Other Name: Ward’s Willow.

Growth Form: Medium tree to 40 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 1 foot; crown widely spreading, often irregular.

Bark: Dark brown to gray to black, scaly and ridged.

Twigs: Slender, brown, usually finely hairy; leaf scars alternate, U-shaped, with 3 bundle traces.

Buds: Small, oblong, reddish-brown, smooth, up to one-eighth inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades lanceolate, long-pointed at the tip, tapering to the base, up to 5 inches long and up to 1 inch broad, finely toothed along the edges, green and smooth on the upper surface, whitish and smooth on the lower surface; stipules conspicuous; leafstalks up to ½ inch long, hairy.

Flowers: Staminate and pistillate flowers borne on separate trees, appearing as the leaves begin to unfold, crowded in elongated, yellowish, hairy catkins.

Fruit: Several narrow, flask-shaped, brownish capsules up to ¼ inch long, crowded in elongated clusters.

Wood: Light weight, soft, not strong.

Use: Fuel.

Habitat: Moist woods, along streams.

Range: Maryland across southern Illinois to Kansas, south to Texas and Florida.

Distinguishing Features: The leaves of the Carolina Willow are shaped similarly to those of the Black Willow, but differ by being whitened on the lower surface.

SANDBAR WILLOW Salix interior Rowlee

Growth Form: Small tree to 25 feet tall; trunk diameter less than 1 foot; crown irregular.

Bark: Gray, furrowed, broken into rough scales.

Twigs: Slender, grayish-green, smooth; leaf scars alternate, U-shaped, with 3 bundle traces.

Buds: Small, oblong, pale brown, up to one-sixth inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades very narrow, pointed at the tip, tapering to the base, to 4 inches long, less than one-half inch broad, with widely spaced teeth along the edges, green and usually smooth on both surfaces when mature; leafstalks nearly absent.

Flowers: Staminate and pistillate flowers borne on separate trees, minute, crowded into elongated catkins, appearing when the leaves are partly grown.

Fruit: Several flask-shaped, brownish, smooth or silky capsules up to one-eighth inch long, crowded in elongated clusters.

Wood: Light weight, soft, weak.

Use: Fuel.

Habitat: Along streams, often forming thickets.

Range: Quebec across to Alaska, south to Oklahoma and Arkansas, east to Maryland.