calodendron

This tribrid is found sporadically in Europe wherever the three species are found together. But, as in siblings in a family, no two seedlings are exactly alike. This one was selected because of its fine form and vigor. It is a fairly erect tree 20-40ft if allowed to develop a trunk or a dense bush if it is coppiced for rods. The trunks and larger branches are brown and twigs are green at first and turn red later in summer where the sun reaches them. The stems are persistently pubescent (dense hairy); they turn brown their second year. Leaves can grow to 6 inches long and 1.5 to 2 inches wide and are oblong or oval-shaped, pointed at top and rounded at the base of the leaf. The upper surfaces of the leaf is dull green and the undersides are densely pubescent with dense gray hairs and a prominent veins. The overwintering flower buds are short and fat and are covered with dense hairs. When the bark is stripped, striae can be seen; these are commonly found in Salix cinerea and its hybrids. Female catkins are produced before the leaves (precocious) in late March or early April and are densely arranged on the ends of the stems as in S. viminalis. It grows naturally in damp places, but tolerates any soil that doesn’t dry out too quickly. Makes tough and flexible rods that are useful for basket-making or fedges; also used as an ornamental plant. Best if coppiced every 1-2 years to keep an abundance of stems available.