VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Salix amygdaloides | Peachleaf Willow 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Willows (Salix spp.) in general are a preferred food of moose and
beaver; peachleaf willow occurs in riparian and floodplain habitats
which these animals frequent [6,42].  Stands in Montana typically have a
good moisture regime throughout the growing season, and the understory
associates provide quality forage for both livestock and wildlife [10].


PALATABILITY : 
In the West, willowsin general are considered to be more palatable to
sheep than to catle, but cattle may make greater use of willow because
they tend to frequent riparian areas [40].  The palatability of
peachleaf willow has been rated as follows [10]:

          CO    MT    ND    UT    WY
Cattle   fair  fair  fair  poor  fair
Sheep    fair  good  good  fair  fair
Horses   fair  fair  fair  poor  fair


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Peachleaf willow's energy value has been rated as fair and its protein
value as poor [10].


COVER VALUE : 
Peachleaf willow provides cover for numerous wildlife species.  The
degree to which it provides environmental protection during one or more
seasons has been rated as follows [10]:

                      CO    ND    UT    WY
Pronghorn            good  ----  ----  poor
Elk                  ----  ----  fair  fair  
Mule deer            ----  ----  fair  good
White-tailed deer    good  good  ----  good
Small mammals        ----  ----  fair  good
Small nongame birds  good  ----  good  good 
Upland game birds    ----  ----  good  good
Waterfowl            ----  ----  ----  fair
      


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Cuttings of pachleaf 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 [43].  Since willows are
sensitive to both competition and shading, dense tall grasses will
reduce transplant survival [31] and may need to be removed by cutting or
by herbicide application [29].  Although harder to plant, rooted stock
is recommended for use because it has higher survival rates [31,43].  A
20-inch (50 cm) cutting should be planted to a depth of 12 inches (30
cm), with 8 inches (20 cm) left aboveground [31].  This deep planting
allows for more rooting surface to extract soil moisture and higher
amounts of carbohydrates as stored food reserves [31,43].  Peachleaf
willow cuttings root at the base of the cut; roots appear in about 10 to
20 days, and stems in about 10 days [31].  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 [31,43].  With 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 [30].  Native
Americans also used the stems for basketry and bow making, and the bark
for tea and fabric making [24].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Overuse by livestock can decrease vigor and eventually kill individuals;
however, degraded stands recover rapidly after they are fenced to
exclude livestock [34].  Because of its soil-binding properties,
peachleaf willow helps stabilize streambanks and protect them from
erosion; stands should therefore be maintained.

Related categories for Species: Salix amygdaloides | Peachleaf Willow