VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Salix planifolia ssp. planifolia | Planeleaf Willow 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
All classes of livestock eat willows (Salix spp.), but cattle consume
more than others because they frequent riparian areas [45].  Planeleaf
willow's importance in livestock diets has been infrequently reported.
In southwestern Montana, it made up 4.8 percent of cattle summer browse
[10].

In southwestern Montana and in Yellowstone National Park, moose eat
large amounts of this willow in the winter and small amounts in the
summer [10,30,44].  Consumption by elk and mule deer is generally low
[47].  Ungulate use of the low-statured variety monica is limited in the
winter because it is often covered by snow [19].

Willows in general are a preferred food and building material of beaver
[1].  Ducks, grouse, other birds, and small mammals eat willow shoots,
catkins, buds, and leaves [2,17].


PALATABILITY : 
Most willows are palatable to livestock and big game [2,45].  In the
West, willows are generally more palatable to sheep than to cattle.
Palatability increases as the growing season advances [45].  Planeleaf
willow is highly palatable to moose but is apparently less palatable to
elk and deer [10,44,47].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
Planeleaf willow occurring in montane and subalpine riparian communities
provides excellent nesting and foraging habitat for a variety of birds,
such as ducks, shorebirds, warblers, vireos, and sparrows [12,14].
Nesting sandhill cranes frequently used low-statured planeleaf willow
cover in Idaho [12].  Planeleaf willow branches overhanging streambanks
provide cover and shade for salmonids [19].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Planeleaf willow is recommended for use in revegetating disturbed
riparian areas, and is especially useful for streambank stabilization.
It is usually planted as rooted or unrooted stem cuttings [38].

Planeleaf willow stems contain predeveloped root primordia.  Stem
cuttings develop roots along the entire length of the buried portion
within about 10 to 15 days after planting [38].  Because it roots
quickly, unrooted planeleaf willow cuttings may be planted on sites
sufficiently moist to start and maintain growth [31,38].  Rooted
cuttings have higher survival rates than unrooted cuttings.

Procedures and techniques for collecting, preparing, and planting willow
cuttings are described by Platts (and others) [38] and McCluskey (and
others) [31].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
All willows produce salacin, which is closely related chemically to
aspirin.  Native Americans used various preparations from willows to
treat tooth ache, stomache ache, diarrhea, dysentery, and dandruff [32].
Native Americans also used flexible willow stems for making baskets,
bows, arrows, scoops, fish traps, and other items [26].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Because this willow usually grows on wet sites that are easily trampled
by livestock, packstock, hikers, campers, big game, and off-road
vehicles, trails and roads should be located on nearby uplands [19].  

Planeleaf willow becomes decadent or stunted when overbrowsed by cattle
or wild ungulates and beavers.  Decadent plants recover relatively
rapidly when browsers are excluded [40].

Related categories for Species: Salix planifolia ssp. planifolia | Planeleaf Willow