Salix 'Bowles hybrid'
Family: Salicaceae
What it is like
Salix 'Bowles hybrid' is a deciduous Tree growing to 5 m (16ft 5in) at a fast rate. It is not frost tender. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 5
Where it is found
Not known in a truly wild situation.
A hybrid of garden origin.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Inner bark - cooked. It is usually harvested in the winter and spring, and can be dried, ground into a powder and added to flour, for use in making bread etc. A famine food, only used when all else fails. Young shoots - cooked. They are not very palatable.
Inner bark: the bark that is found just beneath the tough outer bark of trees and shrubs.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The fresh bark of all members of this genus contains salicin, which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge.
Anodyne: Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Other
Rating:
The stems are very flexible and are used in basket making. The plant is usually coppiced annually when grown for basket making, though it is possible to coppice it every two years if thick poles are required as uprights. The plants are very fast growing, capable of reaching a height of 3 metres in their first year from cuttings. They are also very tolerant of maritime exposure and make an excellent shelterbelt, though the plants are rather bare in winter and do not offer so much wind protection at this time. In order to make an effective shelter, it is best to encourage plenty of side branches by cutting the plants back almost to ground level after their first year's growth. Also cutting them back to about 1 metre tall after their second year of growth will provide an even better framework of branches. The plant's rapid growth and wind tolerance make it a very good pioneer species to use in establishing woodland conditions in difficult sites. Spacing cuttings about every 5 metres will soon provide shelter and a suitable environment for planting out woodland trees that are not so wind tolerant. The main disadvantage in using this species is that the roots are far-ranging and the plant is quite greedy, so it will not as much effect as species such as the alders (Alnus species) in enriching the soil and thus feeding the woodland plants. One strong advantage is that the plant is a male clone and so will not spread itself about where it is not wanted.
Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.
Pioneer: Plants, usually trees and shrubs, that can be used to reforest land.
Shelterbelt: Wind resistant plants than can be grown to provide shelter in the garden etc.
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
Succeeds in most soils, including wet, ill-drained or intermittently flooded soils, but prefers a damp, heavy soil in a sunny position. Rarely thrives on chalk. A very fast growing plant, capable of making new shoots up to 5 metres long in one growing season, especially if the plants are coppiced. Trees respond badly to transplanting unless they are moved regularly. The root system is rather aggressive and can cause problems with drains and the foundations of buildings. This is especially prevalent on clay soils. It is best not to plant trees within 12 metres of buildings. Although the plant produces catkins and is wind pollinated, the flowers are also a good source of nectar. This makes them a very important food plant for many species of caterpillars and a good bee plant, providing an early source of nectar and pollen. Dioecious, but only the male form is known. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.
Propagating it: Seed - this hybrid is a male cultivar, it does not produce seed. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, November to February in a sheltered outdoor bed or planted straight into their permanent position and given a good weed-suppressing mulch. Very easy. Plant into their permanent positions in the autumn. Branches of older wood up to 2.5m long can be used. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, June to August in a frame. Very easy.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness:
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist, wet