Grey Willow, Large gray willow

Land use: Border, Mass, Specimen. The plants have an extensive root system and are used to stabilize waste piles and old slag heaps. The seeds are very light and can travel long distances in the wind. Therefore, the plant can spread to areas such as deforested regions where the soil has been disturbed. Seedlings will grow quickly, even under exposed conditions, and the plant will provide good shelter for the establishment of forest plants. As a result, it is a good pioneer species and, except in wetter and peaty soils, will eventually be largely overshadowed by other forest trees. The main disadvantage as a pioneer species is that it has an extensive root system and is quite a greedy plant, which means it does not help to enrich the soil for other forest plants as much as other pioneer species like alder, Alnus species. Special features: Not a native North American plant, plant for wet areas, attractive flowers. Dynamic accumulator.