Description
A shrub or small tree 6 – 23’ tall often found along rivers
and streams and used in riparian restoration projects.
Range
Western
Climate, elevation
Local occurrence (where, how
common)
(1)
Habitat preferences
Found mainly on rich mucky or other moist soils on the banks
of streams and in low moist ground. 2
Prefers sunny locations but will tolerate some shade. (6)
Plant strategy type/successional stage (stress-tolerator,
competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral, late successional)
Early seral (successional) stages of stream bank and floodplain.
(7)
Associated species
Riparian species:
May be
collected as: (seed, layered, divisions, etc.)
Seed, Cuttings (6)
Collection restrictions or
guidelines
Seeds
must be collected as soon as the fruits ripen, as indicated by the capsule
turning from green to yellow in late spring / early summer (May-July).(9) Seeds
must be surface sown as soon as they are ripe. (6)
Seed germination (needs
dormancy breaking?)
Seed life (can be stored,
short shelf-life, long shelf-life)
Seeds are viable for only a few days and the maximum storage
period is four to six weeks with germination rates dropping off fast
after ten days at room temperature. (6)
Recommended seed storage
conditions
Seedbeds must be kept moist until seedlings are well
established. (6)
Propagation recommendations
(plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)
Soil or
medium requirements (inoculum necessary?)
Installation form (form,
potential for successful outcomes, cost)
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth can be
planted straight into their permanent position in the autumn. (2)
Recommended planting density
6'+ spacing for rooted plants. (10)
Care requirements after
installed (water weekly, water once etc.)
Requires moist soil but is often planted in riparian areas
and requires little if any care. To maintain a view, you can cut them down by
half their height without significant harm to the plants. (4)
Normal rate of growth or
spread; lifespan
Height: 6 to 30'. Spread: to 25'. (10) Growth
rate: Rapid, Vegetative Spread Rate:
Slow
Lifespan: Moderate
(11)
Sources cited
(1) USGS <http://esp.cr.usgs.gov/data/atlas/little/salisitc.pdf>
(2) Plants
For A Future database: <http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Salix+sitchensis>
(3) Veins of Life Watershed
Society: <http://volws.bc.ca/resources/Plants/plant_descriptions_photos/Trees.htm>
(4) Sound Native Plants <http://www.soundnativeplants.com>
(5) Pojar,
Jim and Markinnon, Andy. 1994. Plants of The
(6) Moore, Lincoln
M. USDA, NRCS, Plant Guide: <http://www.plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_sasi2.pdf#search='
(7)
(8) USDA Forest Service <http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/rsl/projects/classification/ncoast-veg-descript.shtml>
(9) Young, James and Young,
Cheryl. 1992. Seeds of Woody Plants in the
(10) WA Dept. of Ecology,
Controlling Erosion Using Vegetation: Plant Selection Guide <http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/pubs/93-30/table3.html#sitkawillow2>
(11) NRCS: Plant’s Database
<http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_attribute.cgi?symbol=SASI2>
Photos
courtesy of Dendrology at Virginia Tech.
Data compiled by:
Thane Hill,