Plant Details

Salix fragilis

Crack Willow

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Salix fragilis.

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General Information

Scientific name: Salix fragilis
Also known as: Crack Willow

Plant Properties

Layer: Tree
Size: Medium
Height: 15.00 m
Width: 15.00 m
Growth Rate: Slow
Leaf: Deciduous

Growth conditions

USDA Hardiness: 4-8
Soil Moisture:
Moist, Wet
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun

Usage properties

Edible part:
Leaves, Inner bark, Tea
Edibility:
(1)
Medicinal:
(3)
Features:
Basketry, Charcoal, Pioneer species, Windbreak, Wood, Bee forage

Description

The inner bark of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked. After drying, the bark can be ground into powder and added to grain flour for bread-making, for example. The inner bark tastes very bitter, especially when fresh, and is even consumed as food during times of famine. The leaves and young shoots of the plant can also be eaten raw or cooked, although they are not very tasty. They serve as a food source during scarcity or famine, and the leaves can even be used as a tea substitute.

Harvest Data

Start Harvest: 01/03
End of Harvest: 31/03

Crown Data

Crown Type: Narrow vase-shaped
Crown Density: Dense crown