Arroyo Willow

Salicaceae

The most common willow species in Southern California. A short-lived, fast-growing multi-stemmed shrub or small tree growing 10-30 ft. with smooth bark and yellowish to dark brown twigs.  It can form dense thickets along streams, washes and pond margins. Willows are dependent on occasional flooding for regeneration. This allows seedlings to grow and dislodged limbs and trunks to reestablish themselves, when partially buried.  Catkins on short leafy stems appear before the leaves.  Winter bud scales are blunt-tipped.  The fruit is a 2-valved capsule.  Bloom time Jan.-Apr.

When pruned, willows readily sprout new branches called wands, a process called coppicing. The wands have long been used for making boats, baskets and furniture, and as fodder. Willow wood is also used for making boxes, cricket bats and pulp. More on Uses.

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