Almond willow (in. three-rod) (Salix triandra) The name comes from here, that its leaves are similar to those of almond trees, they are characterized by juicy greenery and are usually the widest in the middle. Shoots are long and strong. In the wild, it grows as a shrub, less often as a tree to 5 m in height. It is the only willow species to have three stamens in male flowers, that's why it was called three-rod willow, in Latin Salix triandra. Its next distinctive feature is the bark, which on old trunks falls off with lobes, and underneath it shows an intense orange-brown color. The branches are smooth, greenish yellow to reddish. There are approx 25 different subspecies of almond willow. One of them is a small gray willow, eagerly used for plaiting purposes. In eastern Germany, the Pross subspecies is readily used. Due to its strong branching tendency, almond willow should be planted densely, bush by the bush. The length of the braiding bars is from 0,80 into 1,80 m. Application: for making bindings, for green wicker products (unpeeled), long bars are used in the construction of fences.
American willow (Salix americana)
In terms of the size and shape of its leaves, it resembles an almond willow, however, it is a separate species. Importing willows and other plants from America was actually banned, however, at the end of the 19th century. – as the anecdote says – the basket maker–basketball player Ernst Hoedt, using trickery, he brought her from North America to Germany. He made a loose basket of willow sticks from freshly cut willow sticks, which constantly soaked during the journey. Upon arriving at the scene, he unfolded the basket, and used undamaged rods as cuttings. This willow was first cultivated in the Poznań area. From there, it has spread in recent decades under a new name – american willow – all over Europe.
In the wild, it grows as a compact shrub. Red colored shoot tips are typical for her, which, during the growth period, are bent in the shape of a hook. From late summer, green switches change color, starting from the top – the ends of the switches become reddish, going brown in the direction of the root.
Application: plaiting baskets and other plaiting products; it is often used stripped (white and boiled).
Purple willow (Salix purple) It has the thinnest shoots of all cultivated willows. It also has the largest number of subspecies (Ural willow, green purple willow, imperial willow etc.), which often form the most delicate twigs, ranging in length from one meter to three meters. These are usually shoots without side branches, with soft flesh and very good plaiting properties. The bark is mostly green, but also bright red to dark purple on one side (hence the name of the species).
From late summer the shoots become colored, starting from the root and taking on various shades of red. Application: baskets and other products made of unpeeled wicker.
Long-tailed willow (Salix dasyclados)
It requires a moist and nutrient-rich soil. It provides crops on such a substrate, which no other species of willow can achieve. A shrub or tree in height 3-4 m, is characterized by massive growth. The tops of young shoots are covered with a strong felt coating. The bark is smooth, green, and the fluff is gray. This Eastern European species of willow sheds its leaves in late fall – about 14 days ahead of other plaiting willows, so it can be cut at the earliest.
Application: very good for debarking (white and cooked wicker), suitable for furniture and other products, and because of its long rods, it is also good for making living structures.
Basket willow, commonly known as hemp (Salix)
Next to the American willow, it is the most commonly used wicker willow. The name hemp is derived from the similarity of its leaves to those of the hemp plant. Shoots are thin and strong. If it is not sheared, it as a shrub reaches a height of up to 10 m. The trunk and straight branches are smooth, gray-brown to gray-green. Depending on the variety, the shoots can also be olive green, gray-green to red-brown. However, in the fall, the shoots of many varieties can be recognized by their bright green and yellow-green color. They can be from 1,40 m to 4 m. Application: suitable for living structures (fences, tunnels, wigwamy, pavilions etc.), for large rustic objects, as well as for debarking (royal hemp, energy willow).
White hanging willow (Salix alba lim. vellum)
It occurs in the form of a tree as a species of the well-known white willow. Large volume crown, most often, however, it is highly branched. It is one of the most fibrous willow species. Previously, it was used for the production of coal baskets and baskets for use in industry and agriculture. Its shoots are golden, and towards the top they become reddish. If anyone gets lucky, he will also find a plant of hanging white willow at the old wicker farmer. Application: because of the golden bark, the products are very attractive. In smaller European vineyards it is still used to tie up the branches.