Willow Tree Guide: All 19 Species & How Its Bark Changed Science

The Willow tree bark contains the compound that is widely recognized as the ‘turn of the century miracle drug.’ Although it was used for centuries by a number of cultures, when scientists working for Bayer found a way to reduce the impact salicylic acid had on the stomach and use it to create aspirin…the rest was history.

In fact, “salicin,” means ‘willow’ in Latin!

Keep reading to learn about this really awesome tree.

What Are Some Common Willow Tree Types?

The weeping willow tree is probably the most recognized variety of this tree species, but there are a number of willows that can be planted in a number of hardiness zones. Check out some of the most common:

These trees grow about 6 feet annually and are often used as a windbreak or privacy landscape addition. It’s got a very strong root system and is great for areas that have standing water and on hillsides because the roots are able to prevent washouts.

What’s the Best Way to Buy Willow Trees? (Where to Purchase Willow Tree Saplings)

When buying a Willow, the best option is to choose a local nursery or grower. While they may not have the particular type you’re looking for, it’s always a good idea to check.

Not only will a local grower have saplings that are already conditioned to your growing zone, they’re often able to provide keen insights about where and how to plant willow trees.

Moreover, when you buy a willow from a local nursery, you reduce the carbon footprint of the purchase by severely reducing shipments and transportation emissions.

But, if you can’t find the variety you want a local store, an online option will work. Just remember to use tree planting carbon offset strategies from carbon offset companies to eliminate the footprint.

Native Region and Habitat Growing Needs of Willow Trees

Willow shrubs and trees are mostly native to northern and temperate⁹ climates.

Three of the largest willows are the black willow, the brittle willow, and the white willow. They grow to 65 feet or more.

The first grows in North America while the other two are Eurasian but widely naturalized. All three willow varieties are common in lowland areas.

It’s best to find a growing site that receives anywhere from full sun to partial shade.

The soil needs to be moist, well-draining, and a bit acidic. It’s not advised to plant a willow near underground power lines or sewers because weeping willows have long roots.

How to Grow Willow Tree

When learning how to grow a willow tree, the planting practice is very similar to other large trees. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball. Place the root ball in the hole while gently separating its roots.

Fill the hole halfway with the soil and then pour two gallons of water into it. Fill the rest of the hole and tamp down to remove the air bubbles.

Willow trees grow best when planted by ponds or streams.

Soil Needs

While willows tolerate most types of soil, be it alkaline, sandy, or clay-based soils, their preference is moist, well-draining, and slightly acidic soils. If soil is too alkaline, it can be made more acidic by adding sulfur.

Watering Requirements

Willows must be thoroughly watered once a week for the first year after planting. (or, even better, use a circular water hose to distribute water on a daily basis, as needed to keep the soil moist). After that, the tree needs just enough water so that the soil doesn’t dry out. Test the moisture level by sticking a finger or two into the soil. If the top two inches are dry, the tree needs to be watered.

Fertilizing

Willow trees don’t need fertilizer to be healthy. If the leaves look pale, a balanced fertilizer may be added come spring.

Pruning Willow Trees

A willow tree needs to be pruned when it’s young to ensure there is one central trunk. It’s advisable to snip all its branches in late winter or early spring. That will encourage new branches to grow and invigorate the tree.

Weeping willows have many pest and disease issues because of their edible bark. The tree can obstruct underground pipes and powerlines. They need to be planted at least fifty feet away from a house.

How to Identify Willow Tree Types (Willow Tree Identification Tips)

The most identified willow tree varieties are the weeping willow and the pussy willow. A few more varieties grow in Europe, North America, and Asia.

(Narrowleaf Willow Seeds Image: Curtis Clark³⁵)

Willow trees are best known for their shapely and round canopies. It’s sometimes hard to tell the difference between species, but a closer look does reveal their various characteristics.

Willow Tree Leaf (Appearance of Willow Tree Leaves)

The leaves are feather-veined and linear. They are round at their base, acute or acuminate. The leaf petioles⁸ are short; the stipules¹⁰ resemble tiny leaves and sometimes remain on the tree for half the summer.

The leaves’ colors show a variety of greens tinged with yellow and light blue.

Facts About Willow Tree Bark

There’s a very wonderful fact about willow tree bark… in fact, it helped countless lives when scientists and doctors realized the fever reducing benefits of aspirin.

The bark of several varieties of the willow tree has been used as a pain reliever for centuries. Salicin is the active ingredient in the medicine made from willow bark.

(Image: User:Nino Barbieri³⁰)

Willow bark is sometimes used as an alternative to aspirin, particularly for people who experience chronic headaches or back pain. Willow bark is also used in some products to aid weight loss.

The bark used is harvested from the branches of young willow trees. The white willow and black willow are two of the most common willow bark used medicinally.

Willow Tree Flowers and Blooms

The male flowers consist of 2-10 stamens accompanied by a nectareous gland and inserted at the base of a scale, which is square and very hairy. The anthers are rose-colored in the bud. They turn orange or purple after the flower blooms.

(Image: b52_Tresa³¹)

The female flowers have a single ovary accompanied by a flat nectar gland inserted at the base of a scale.

Folklore, Significance, And Medicinal Qualities of Willow Tree

Willow trees like to grow close to the water and their folklore reflects water-based themes. The moon is also part of the myth because the water’s movement is affected by the moon. A Scottish myth claims that logging willow during the shrinking moon lowered the woods’ quality.

Hecate, the Greek goddess of the Underworld associated with the moon and the willow, taught sorcery and witchcraft. Helice, which means willow, was Zeus’s nurse and also associated with water.

Willow regrows with vigor and grows 2-4 feet in a season. This ability symbolizes vitality and immortality in China.

Nineteenth-century illustrations of weeping willows were etched as ornaments on gravestones. Willow leaves replaced palm leaves to enhance British churches on Palm Sunday. Beavers⁴ love eating willow and salicylic acid is stored in glands at the base of their tails. The substance known as castoreum was valuable medicine. Beavers were hunted to extinction in some countries because of the castoreum in their glands.

The world’s first synthetic drug, acetylsalicylic acid, was developed from the willow’s bark. It was marketed as Aspirin, named after the botanical name for meadowsweet, Spirea Ulmerian.

(Image: Nikolay Komarov³²)

This ‘Nature’s Aspirin’ dates back many centuries and was frequently used in ancient China and Europe for treating many health conditions. The aspirin drug was developed after the compound ‘salicin’ was extracted from willow bark, which is responsible for its medicinal benefits.

Willow bark can be consumed as raw bark, powder, liquid, or tablet.

• Relieves Lower Back Pain: Studies confirm that salicin relieves lower back pain.⁵ 150 mg of salicin a day helps relieve pain and discomfort.
• Reduces Migraine: White willow bark is a good cure for headaches and migraine. Salicin reduces pressure in the blood vessels that constrict and cause headaches. A cup of white willow tea also assists in relieving pain and stress.
• Prevents Heart Attack: A daily dose of willow bark or drinking a cup of willow tea twice a day reduces the risk of blood clotting and prevents heart attack⁷ with fewer side effects than aspirin.
• Cures Fever: Willow bark has been used for centuries to cure fever and flu Drinking white willow tea 2-3 times a day treats mild fever and flu.
• Eases Menstrual Cramps: Willow regulates prostaglandin production and reduces the inflammation in the uterine wall that helps relax the muscles and reduce the pain. It also eases the pain in the legs, back, and menstrual headaches. Mix white willow tea with honey and lime.
• Toothache: Willow bark’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties help in relieving sore teeth. Apply willow bark powder paste to the tooth or gargle with willow bark tea or willow tincture to ease gum inflammation.
• Treats Arthritis: Salicin can treat or heal arthritis and osteoarthritis.⁶ Swollen joints or muscles are the main cause of pain in arthritis. Willow bark and its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce the pain and discomfort caused by arthritis.
• Lose Weight: White willow bark in tow with other supplemental ingredients increases body metabolism that can lead to weight loss. A great many weight loss supplements get better results when mixed with white willow bark.

Manufacturing Uses for Willows

Hunter-gatherer clans built shelters with bent willow frames. as well as dugout boats and coracles. It has also been used for house building, charcoal manufacture, and more.

Willow’s ability to absorb shock without splintering makes it an excellent wood to build cricket bats and stumps. The Dutch structured their clogs from willow wood and the Celts used willow to construct their chariot wheel spokes.

Gypsies used willow to make their clothes pegs, and the bark was used to make a reddish-brown dye for tanning leather and feeding livestock.

The fibrous and pliable bark is ideal for weaving rope including thick anchor ropes.  Bark strips were used to reinforce the thatch on roofs. It was even used to make cloth.

(Image: Hans³³)

Willow is famous for its use in making wicker, which entails weaving stems to create many useful items. Before plastic was invented, willow was widely used to make containers large and small, including baskets, coffins, and beehives.

Willow weaving is popular again these days.

Willow trees offer graceful shade, lovely serenity, and many uses. When you plant them correctly, and take care of them, your Willow tree will provide years and years of enjoyment and beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions About Willow Tree