Willow, Pacific (Whiplash) - S. lucida spp. lasiandra

(S. lasiandra)

Tree-type; A tree up to 16 meters (53 feet) tall with several branches that have stems between 10 to 30 centimeters (4 to 12 inches) in diameter. Bark ranges from moderately deep furrows on the older part of the stem to smooth whitish bark on the younger part of the branch. The leaf is long, usually has a slight bend at the top, and a very pointed tip. The leaf has the same color on both sides and 1 to 3 small dark glands where the leaf meets the petiole. It is found in low to mid elevations, generally below 2000 meters (6500 feet). At lower elevations, its form is a mid-sized tree, while at mid-elevation areas is has a smaller shrubby stature. It prefers moist sandy to gravelly well-drained soils similar to those preferred by cottonwoods. It is commonly associated with Drummond, Booth and yellow willow, redosier dogwood, Woods rose, and alder species.

Field propagation by dormant unrooted hardwood cuttings is very successful. For better rooting success, use younger smooth barked stems. If using the older, larger diameter stems with rough furrowed bark, scar the rough bark with an axe down to the cambium layer and use rooting hormones. This willow should not be planted in the stream channel (within the bankfull width), but rather at the top of the bank and on the floodplain.

< Back to Species Descriptions and Propagation Techniques

Last Modified: 07/05/2007