We’re not quite ready to insert that number just yet because we know there are more! This list started being compiled by Michael Dodge and we will continue to add uses as we learn more about these versatile plants. Many of the uses are shared with us by you when we receive requests for rods to build bull boats or S. acmophylla for religious ceremonies. And you thought they were only pretty to look at.

1. Ornamental beauty in the landscape (well, they ARE pretty to look at)
2. Cut stems for floral arrangements
3. Basketry
4. Wicker furniture
5. Animal fodder
6. Shade for pastures
7. Cover from aerial predators for small animals (like your backyard chickens)
8. Excellent source of food for bees and pollinators in general
9. Attracts bugs, which attract birds! Our nurseries are positively teeming with birds!
10. Streambank restoration and other riparian zone remediation efforts
11. Windbreaks for manure pits
12. Snow breaks
13. Phytoremediation efforts
14. Fedges (fence + hedge)
15. Wattle fencing
16. Hedges
17. Garden art and sculptures
18. Plant supports
19. Biodegradable compost bins
20. Bird feeders
21. Wattle fencing
22. Living structures like domes, tunnels, chairs, arches, temples and tee-pees
23. Children’s play forts
24. Artist charcoal
25. Kindling (did your cuttings dry out? make great fire starter!)
26. Cricket bats
27. Spears for Atlatls throwers
28. Biofuel
29. People medicine (aspirin is derived from salicin produced by Salix)
30. Animal medicine (we’ve been told by sheep and rabbit owners that they feed it to their animals for pain relief)
31. Coffins and urns
32. Religious ceremonies
33. Dandruff control and wart removal (salicylic acid is the active ingredient)
34. Rooting hormone