Willow Identification Key: Salix matsudana x S. alba
Common Name:
Matsudana x alba hybridsScientific Name:
Salix matsudana x S. albaNew Zealand Clones:
Female: Tangoio NZ 1040, Te Awa NZ 1003, Cannock NZ 1001, Makara NZ 1179
Male: Aokautere NZ 1002, Hiwinui. NZ 1130, Adair NZ 1143, Wairakei NZ 1149, Moutere NZ 1184
Technical Description:
Habit: Tall tree, up to 25 m high, narrow or moderately spreading crown with erect branches.
Shoots: Reddish green becoming grey-green or reddish brown, slightly brittle, soon without hairs.
Leaves: 9-14 cm long, 1-1.7 cm wide, lanceolate; margins serrate; light green to bluish green; silky hairy when young, sparsely short-haired above at maturity.
Catkins: Male or female; narrow-cylindrical, curved; 2-3.5 cm long; appearing with or after leaves, September- October.
Comments: Hybrids between Salix matsudana from China and Salix alba from Eurpoe. First clones were released in N.Z. in 1975, with a further series in 1980, for general soil conservation plantings and farm and horticultural shelterbelts. These trees exhibit extensive root development (white rootlets in water), excellent site adaptability and a narrow crown form, making them popular for a range of uses.
