Siberian Silver Willow
2216 Preston Ave. (on Adelaide St.)
Siberian Silver Willow Salix alba 'Sericea' also called the White Willow, is native to central and southern Europe and was brought to North America by settlers in the 1700s.
This dense billowy tree has blue-grey or green-grey foliage. It is fast growing and therefore also weak wooded. A windy day can often leave twigs and branches littering the yard. It can grow to 80 feet tall and nearly as wide. In spring, yellow flowers emerge which attract bees, beneficial insects, birds and butterflies. This makes it an excellent addition to a pollinator garden. It grows well in sun or dappled shade and while it is drought resistant once established, it does best in moist soil. It has long silky hairs on both sides of its 3-4" leaves and on the catkins.The catkins remain on the tree for much of the summer.
The ancients of Europe and China knew that White Willow bark could ease aches and pains and reduce fevers. The bark, leaves, and shoots are often used as medicine, even today. The active extract of the bark, called salicin, was isolated to its crystalline form in 1828. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or aspirin is a chemical derivative of salicin.
Alternate location: 2519 Haultain Ave.