Willow could save us in the future!
More than a dozen species of willows grow in the wild in Ireland, although not all are native. However, as willows need water for survival and given the possibility of drier conditions due to climate change, some species could be endangered, e.g. Salix phylicifolia (formerly Salix hibernica) the tea-leaved willow or Irish willow. It is found in Ireland only on the cliffs of Ben Bulben, Co. Sligo and is a relic from the latest Ice Age.
Willow grows rapidly and is easily propagated from cuttings. However, it is difficult to distinguish between different species of willow as they hybridise freely. Traditionally willows were “pollarded”. This involved cutting through the tree just above the first main fork. Initially the tree looked decapitated but new shoots quickly developed and the tree was rejuvenated. Without this form of intervention the tree would rot and die much sooner. In the past willow was used to make baskets for taking turf from the bog, potatoes from the field or sea-weed from the sea shore. Before the era of plastic, willow baskets were the only containers suitable for transporting and storing bulky items. The Irish harp was traditionally made of willow. Willow is used to make cricket bats but this was never a thriving industry in Ireland.
Despite its important role in ancient Irish life, the willow was merely a “commoner of the wood” under Brehon law. Neither does it feature in many place-names; Sallynoggin (the hilltop of the willow or sally) in Dublin is probably the best known. One of our exclusive holiday resorts Parknasilla (Páirc na Saileach translated as the field of the sally or willow field), in Co Kerry, is named after one of our humblest trees. There's Mullach na Saileach in, Co Armagh, Baile Sailí, Co Derry and Páirc na Saileán, Co Down. Today, willows are important biomass species and could provide a valuable source of renewable energy.
The bark of willow contains salicylic acid (the active ingredient of Aspirin) and plant growth hormones, especially those used to root cuttings. Willows are often used to stabilise canal and river banks. The tallest tree is 25 metres.
by John Mc Loughlin