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Salix 'Bowles hybrid' - .

Common Name
Family Salicaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known in a truly wild situation.
Range A hybrid of garden origin.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Wet Soil Full sun
Salix


Salix

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Inner bark  Leaves
Edible Uses:

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[172]. Young shoots - cooked. They are not very palatable[172].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anodyne  Febrifuge

The fresh bark of all members of this genus contains salicin[226], which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[213]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[226].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Basketry  Pioneer  Shelterbelt

The stems are very flexible and are used in basket making[11]. 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[K]. 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[K]. Also cutting them back to about 1 metre tall after their second year of growth will provide an even better framework of branches[K]. 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[K]. One strong advantage is that the plant is a male clone and so will not spread itself about where it is not wanted[K].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils, including wet, ill-drained or intermittently flooded soils[1], but prefers a damp, heavy soil in a sunny position[200]. Rarely thrives on chalk[200]. 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[K]. 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[200]. 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[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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123

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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