Price each per pack |
1 Tree |
10 Trees |
25 Trees |
100 Trees |
20-40cm |
£1.75 |
£0.95 |
£0.65 |
£0.45 |
40-60cm |
£1.85 |
£1,10 |
£0.75 |
£0.55 |
Osier Willow (salix viminalis) also known as Basket willow, Osier Willow, Osier
Growth
One of the fastest growing species capable of 12ft in 1 year after being cut back. Naturally a multi-stemmed shrub growing to between 10 and 20 ft and rarely to 33ft tall. It has long, erect, straight branches with greenish-grey bark. The leaves are long and slender, 4–10 inches long; they are dark green above, with a silky grey-haired underside.
Foliage, Flowers and Seeds
The flowers are catkins, produced in early spring before the leaves; the male and female catkins are found on separate plants. The male catkins are yellow and oval-shaped; the female catkins are longer and more cylindrical; they mature in late April or early May when the fruit capsules split open to release the numerous minute seeds, always on a warm, sunny day.
Distribution and habitat
It is commonly found by riversides, streams and other wet and boggy places. It is native from central Europe eastwards to western Asia, but is also thought to be native as far west as southeastern England.
As a cultivated or naturalised plant, it is widespread throughout both Britain and Ireland, but only at lower altitudes. It is one of the least variable willows, but it will hybridise with several other species.
Uses
Along with other related willows, the flexible twigs, called withies are commonly used in basketry and weaving. More than 60 different kinds of osier hybrids and cultivated varieties are grown in Britain for the basket-making industry. They are becoming increasingly popular for use as willow screens and sculptures.
Osier, like all willows, is also grown for its ability to absorb heavy metals, and is often planted to 'clean up' contaminated waste ground and reclaimed industrial sites.
It is also one of the favorite species for short rotation fuelwood production and biomass
Wildlife Value
Caterpillars of a number of moth species feed on the foliage, including the lackey, herald and red-tipped clearwing. The catkins provide an important source of early nectar and pollen for bees and other insects, and the close branching habit makes for good nesting and roosting sites for birds
Growth
One of the fastest growing species capable of 12ft in 1 year after being cut back. Naturally a multi-stemmed shrub growing to between 10 and 20 ft and rarely to 33ft tall. It has long, erect, straight branches with greenish-grey bark. The leaves are long and slender, 4–10 inches long; they are dark green above, with a silky grey-haired underside.
Foliage, Flowers and Seeds
The flowers are catkins, produced in early spring before the leaves; the male and female catkins are found on separate plants. The male catkins are yellow and oval-shaped; the female catkins are longer and more cylindrical; they mature in late April or early May when the fruit capsules split open to release the numerous minute seeds, always on a warm, sunny day.
Distribution and habitat
It is commonly found by riversides, streams and other wet and boggy places. It is native from central Europe eastwards to western Asia, but is also thought to be native as far west as southeastern England.
As a cultivated or naturalised plant, it is widespread throughout both Britain and Ireland, but only at lower altitudes. It is one of the least variable willows, but it will hybridise with several other species.
Uses
Along with other related willows, the flexible twigs, called withies are commonly used in basketry and weaving. More than 60 different kinds of osier hybrids and cultivated varieties are grown in Britain for the basket-making industry. They are becoming increasingly popular for use as willow screens and sculptures.
Osier, like all willows, is also grown for its ability to absorb heavy metals, and is often planted to 'clean up' contaminated waste ground and reclaimed industrial sites.
It is also one of the favorite species for short rotation fuelwood production and biomass
Wildlife Value
Caterpillars of a number of moth species feed on the foliage, including the lackey, herald and red-tipped clearwing. The catkins provide an important source of early nectar and pollen for bees and other insects, and the close branching habit makes for good nesting and roosting sites for birds
