Willow species
Willow (Salix) together with the poplar (Populus) belongs to the willow family (Willow) and therefore the oldest flowering plants, from before the Ice Age. Willow comes in various forms – creeping bushes, as well as trees aimed at 35 m in height. It belongs to the pioneering plants. After the floods, storms and earthquakes very quickly colonize devastated areas. Although it is found on almost all continents, it prefers the northern temperate zone. Most willows grow on river banks or in open fields, however, they are rarely a component of forests. This plant likes it cool and moist, but sunny positions. The names given to willow often reflect the original positions of individual species (alpine willow, Tatra willow) or their specific features (holly willow, brittle willow). Some of them sound strange at times (hastata willow, and willow, Rokita willow). There are three to five hundred species of willow. This number depends on it, how we define primary species, because there are also countless hybrids (hybrids), which continue to cross. The easy formation of new species of this plant comes from here, that the willows are dioecious. Means, that there are male and female copies. If a female plant is pollinated by a male plant of a different species, then the seeds have the properties of both one, as well as the second plant. The exception is the mourning willow planted in gardens and parks, whose cats often have male and female flowers next to each other, or single shrubs produce bases with male and female features. Unlike such trees, like an oak tree, beech or chestnut, willow has very light seeds, which can be blown and spread by the wind. We are dealing with a different way of its spread, for example, as a result of floods. It is based on this, that broken twigs, moved elsewhere, they easily take root, thanks to which trees and shrubs grow. Therefore, when growing willow, reproduction by cuttings prevails, which is generally easier than sowing seeds. It facilitates the reproduction of certain species, as well as more accurately determining the properties of the planted specimens.
Wild willow shrubs and thickets
Willow bushes provide great protection against the wind, and in spring they are one of the most important food sources for bees. That is why willow twigs with catkins should not be cut in the spring. Because the female flowers are pollinated by wind and bees, and willows that are cut each year do not form flowers, this leaving wild willow shrubs and thickets is very important!
Cultivated willows
Cultivated willows grow in the fields, and they are propagated by cuttings. For cultivation, special specimens that grow in the form of shrubs are selected. Only a few long species are suitable, flexible shoots. Bushes are planted close to each other, so that they do not branch out, but they released long ones, simple switches. They should then be properly cared for. To obtain a lot of high-quality wicker rods for plaiting purposes, you need to have some knowledge, experience, and choose the right position. You can also create your own plantation for private use, alternatively, plant a few single shrubs or trees of certain species in the garden near the house, depending on your goals, for which we want to use them.
Trees and semi-wild headed willows
Head willow is not a special variety, but a topped tree, that is, without branches. As a result, the trunk grows in the place of regular cuts, giving the tree a unique shape. In the past, peasants often topped willows, and the branches and shoots obtained from "heads” they used it for heating purposes and weaving baskets. Currently, wicker is obtained to a limited extent. This is a problem, because in this state of affairs the head willows are not pruned, what causes, that their branches thicken and that the tree may split under their weight. White willow (Salix alba) it is often planted with a bridle intention. It tolerates high humidity, therefore it often grows on the banks of rivers, lakes and ponds, as well as along country roads; can reach a height from 5 into 25 m. However, the rods obtained from it are rather not very good for plaiting purposes. Brittle willow is also widespread (A fragile willow) and hanging willow (Salix alba lim. vellum) with yellowish bark. Some varieties of these species, as cultivated willows, can be used in braiding. The soft wood of this willow is not very durable and is almost not at all suitable for carpentry purposes. However, it is sometimes used to make clog shoes, various types of boxes, shunts, wood sculptures, toothpick, Matches, wood wool, pulp production, etc.. Mourning willow is one of the most famous, but both she, as well as many other species, not very suitable for making braids. We often meet it in our parks and gardens as an ornamental tree., as well as willow and Pendula, Manchurian willow, Sakhalin willow (otherwise they dragon). The holly willow found in our gardens is very decorative, called Caspian (Salix daphnoides var. acutifolia), characterized by a red bark. Although it is not suitable for plaiting purposes, it protects well against the wind and grows well in dunes, because it tolerates salt water.
If anyone would like to plant honeybee willows, it may choose to:
Smith's willow (Salix smithiana), purple willow (Salix purple), laurel willow cow (Salix daphnoides), or weeping willow (willow roe).
The blueberry willow is one of the endangered species (Salix myrtilloides), as well as the laurel willow (Salix daphnoides). Some willows were treated as weeds for years and destroyed, however, most of them die as a result of the destruction of their natural habitat. This is especially true of willows growing in peat bogs and in riparian forests.