VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Salix lemmonii | Lemmons Willow 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Willows (Salix spp.) in general are a preferred food of moose and
beaver; Lemmons willow occurs in riparian habitats which these animals
frequent [4,25].  Lemmons willow also provides browse for deer and elk
[12].  Information regarding the importance of Lemmon willow to
livestock is lacking.


PALATABILITY : 
In the West, willows in general are considered to be more palatable to
sheep than to cattle, but cattle may make greater use of willows because
they tend to frequent riparian areas [24].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
Lemmons willow provides cover for mammals and songbirds, and provides
shade for salmonids [12].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Cuttings of Lemmons willow can be used to revegetate disturbed riparian
areas.  Cuttings quickly stabilize disturbed alluvium, allowing other
plants to become established.  Unrooted willow stem cuttings (slips)
should be planted on sites that provide sufficient moisture to start and
maintain growth throughout the growing season [26].  Since willows are
sensitive to both competition and shading, dense tall grasses will
reduce transplant survival [20] and may need to be removed by cutting or
by herbicide application [16].  Although harder to plant, rooted stock
is recommended for use because it has higher survival rates [20,26].
Prerooting can be accomplished by growing cuttings under greenhouse
conditions, allowing roots to grow 0.8 to 1.2 inches (2-3 cm) in length
[20].  Slips should be obtained from local native stands.  They should
be 12 to 20 inches (30-50 cm) long and taken in the spring from dormant
2- to 4-year-old wood greater than 0.4 inch (1 cm) in diameter [20].  A
20-inch (50 cm) cutting should be planted to a depth of 12 inches (30
cm), with 8 inches (20 cm) left aboveground [20].  This deep planting
allows for more rooting surface to extract soil moisture, and higher
amounts of carbohydrates as stored food reserves [20,26].  If serious
streambank erosion has resulted in a nearly vertical cut bank, slope
reshaping may be necessary to enhance success of transplants.  Reshaping
may not be necessary if, through protective measures, existing
vegetation is able to stabilize the site [20,26].  Under any method of
revegetation, sites should be fenced to protect them from grazing and
trampling.


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
All willows produce salicin, which chemically is closely related to
acetylsalicylic acid, commonly known as aspirin.  This is probably why
Native Americans used various preparations from willows to treat
toothache, stomach ache, diarrhea, dysentery, and dandruff [6].  Native
Americans also used the stems for basketry and bow making, and the bark
for tea and fabric making [4].

Lemmons willow has been used in landscape plantings for the past 30
years in the Tahoe Basin of California and Nevada [2].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Many Lemmons willow communities in Oregon have a long history of overuse
by cattle.  Plants in these disturbed stands experience loss of vigor,
as shown by uneven stem age distribution, highlining, clubbing, or dead
clumps.  If rested for 5 to 6 years, new shoots may grow 5 to 8 feet
feet (1.5-2.4 m) tall and be more resistant to damage from browsing
[12].  Herbage production in these stands can be doubled if stands are
rested for 2 to 3 years.

Related categories for Species: Salix lemmonii | Lemmons Willow