Tree of the marshes, of the rivers, the Willow soothes the fevers of the men, provides a soft wood, the invaluable osiers of the basket makers. Its vitality, its short life span, a man's life, its power of multiplication, surround it with legends often forgotten.
The tree of diversity
More than thirty species of willow live in France, the number of their hybrids is... incalculable. They live side by side, interbreed, their characteristics are mixed in an abundant diversity, a real headache for botanists. Some of them draw our attention more than others, for their size, their regular presence, their usefulness, the elegance of their silhouette. The White Willow, Salix alba, the Fragile Willow, Salix fragilis and their hybrid Salix x rubens, mark the banks of rivers, ponds, marshes, with their tall silhouettes. The Marchault Willow, Salix caprea, less greedy for water, can be found in forests, and in parks the Weeping Willow and its hybrids will be of the most beautiful effect.
Medicinal properties
Willows in their great diversity show common medicinal properties, known and used by men for thousands of years. As swamp trees, they were used to treat fevers, thanks to their febrifuge character. The presence of salicylic acid in their bark made them compared to cinchona. Bark also astringent, tonic, antirheumatic, febrifuge, antiseptic, vulnary... The flowers, male and female catkins, each installed on its own tree, are antispasmodic and sedative, as are the leaves, although they are less effective. How not to mention also its tonic effects of the digestive system, anti-diarrhea. The white willow was certainly the most used of all the willows in our regions.
Uses of willows
Leaves, bark, flowers, wood, everything in the Willow is used. Its early catkins offer bees a welcome source of food at the end of winter. The same catkins are so decorative that they are used in the composition of seasonal bouquets. The mature seeds, soft and silky, could be used as cotton when it was missing. The leaves and small branches are used as fodder for horses, goats and sheep.... The bark, known for tanning, will provide the gardener with willow water, cut into pieces, soaked, it will produce a natural cutting hormone. A dyeing tree, the Willow, depending on the recipe, will express itself in red, brown, black. Its wood shows a great diversity of uses.
A soft wood
Not very famous as a fuel, the Willow is nevertheless appreciated by bakers, for its bright flame, at high temperatures. Its charcoal was used to make gunpowder. Its homogeneous, light, soft wood is light, yellowish, sometimes turning pinkish. Although it does not last, it works well and is used in many fields.
Rafters, rods, poles, stakes, packaging, sieves, light clogs, toys, barrel hoops... And even cricket bats made with white willow, so famous that it is called "cricket willow". Its properties also see it used for the manufacture of prostheses.
Wicker
Basketry is supplied by willows, for their long, straight and solid branches. Ties for the garden, for trellising vines, baskets, fish traps, cages... Everything can be made of wicker. Among the most used, we find the white willow or white wicker, cultivated in pollard, whose form 'Vitellina' is appreciated for its yellow, orange branches. The fragile willow, Salix fragilis, which only breaks at the joints, is part of the list, without dethroning the basket maker's willow, Salix viminalis. Don't forget the purple willow, Salix purpurea, or the three-stamens willow, Salix triandra. The braided strips often came from the Marsault Willow.
Some stories
In many countries, the Willow is a symbol of immortality, vitality and protection. Its branches are said to repel unwanted spirits. But it can also represent death, evil powers with witches populating its foliage...
Female deities would inhabit the willows, bringing fertility and abundant harvests to collect in its braided branches.
The melancholic would appreciate its shade.
The tomb of Napoleon I is always represented with a Weeping Willow.
Familiar with parks for its elegance, the Willow deserves to be rediscovered and to find a place at the edge of ponds, in hedges, at the edge of gardens.
