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Salix viminalis
Osier
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Latin Name: Salix viminalis
Common Name: Osier
Family: Salicaceae(Click to Search)
Author: L.
Known Hazards: None known
Habitat: By rivers and streams, also on deep moist alluvial soils, avoiding very acid soils[186].
Mature Height: 6
Mature Width: 4
Habit: Tree
Cultivation Notes: Succeeds in most soils, including wet, ill-drained or intermittantly flooded soils[1, 11], but prefers a damp, heavy soil in a sunny position[200]. Dislikes heavy shade and dry soils[186]. Rarely thrives on chalk[200]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[186]. A fast growing tree, it is very wind resistant[K].
Widely cultivated for basket making, there are many named varieties[11, 17]. Trees are usually coppiced annually for this purpose, they do not respond so well to pollarding. It should be cut back almost to ground level each year when being grown for basket making since this encourages the production of long flexible shoots[11]. In very good conditions plants can put on 4 metres or more of new growth in a year when treated in this way.
A very important food source for the caterpillars of many butterfly species[30], it is also a valuable early pollen source for bees[11, 186]. The plants are rich in insect life[186].
Best planted into its permanent position as soon as possible[11]. The root system is rather agressive and can cause problems with drains[200]. Plants are best not grown within 10 metres of buildings.
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
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