Optical features
- clear differences from species to species
- Round, lanceolate and narrow, pointed shapes are possible
- Underside of leaf mostly hairy
- mostly light green
Special features of the white willow
With regard to the characteristics of the leaf, the white willow (Salix alba) deserves special mention. After all, the tree owes its name to the leaves. The foliage has a fluff of fine, white hairs on the upper side, but especially on the underside. These shimmer silver, especially when there is wind.
also read
- What to do if the willow gets brown leaves?
- The types of pasture
- Build a bed border yourself from willow
Other differences between different types
You can use the following characteristics as a guide if you want to distinguish between different types of willow.
Hooker's pasture
- ovoid
- dark green
- fixed
- glittering
- up to 10 cm long
- alternating arrangement
Sal willow
- wide
- elliptical
- pointed
- up to 10 cm long
- finely serrated leaf margin
- The upper side of the sheet is slightly shiny
Basket willow
- narrow and lanceolate
- pointed
- up to 25 cm long
- Underside of the leaf silver-gray
- finely serrated leaf margin
Crack Willow
- lanceolate
- up to 16 cm long
- 2-3 cm wide
- finely serrated leaf margin
Fall leaves in autumn
Over the years, willows develop a sprawling canopy. No wonder that tons of leaves fall on the ground in autumn. Therefore, your pasture should not be too close to the Property line plant so that the neighbor is spared the fall of leaves and you do not commit yourself to clear sidewalks.
If the willow is right in the garden, it is best to use the falling leaves as a natural fertilizer. The leaves enrich the soil and ensure that the tree grows even better. At the same time, you save yourself a lot of work.
Medical benefit
Did you know that the leaves of the willow have a very high salicin content? This substance is the basis of aspirin tablets. Salicin has both pain-relieving and fever-lowering effects. Since the leaves of the willow are completely non-toxic, you can try chewing on one. But be careful, the taste turns out to be very bitter. Young willow leaves do not have this aroma and therefore serve as a slightly different ingredient in salads.
