| General Description | The Bay Willow is a shrub-like tree, with bay shaped leaves, hence the name. Fast growing and moisture tolerant. This specimen is relatively short-lived, with an average lifespan between 50 and 75 years. Very adaptive, has been able to naturalize outside of its place of origin easily. Another useful attribute of Salix pentandra is the sturdy, yet malleable new growth. This new growth is used to create woven baskets and other small accessories. |
| ID Characteristic | Salix pentandra leaves are sticky when fresh, and shiny as they age. They occur alternately along the bright green new growth of the tree. The bark begins green or slightly reddish, developing grey and smooth in adolescence. As maturity sets in, the smooth bark on Salix pentandra will begin to form shallow longitudinal furrows that are widely spaced. |
| Shape | When naturalized, Salix pentandra is usually multi stemmed with an upright, globoid shape. If pruned, Bay Willows can end up in many shapes. Due to their adaptive characteristics, they will withstand even a botched prune job. |
| Landscape | In today's landscape, Salix pentandra is used in reforestation and habitat revitalization. It is a second story tree with semi retaining leaves. Bay Willows are grown in captivity to become stabilizers along dikes and embankments as a combative measure against soil erosion. |
| Cultivation | The perfect conditions for growing Salix pentandra from seed are in full sun, with moist, well drained, and slightly acidic soil-- pH levels between 6.5 and 7.5. The seeds from a Bay Willow are viable for one 1-2 weeks, so they must be planted quickly. The Bay Willow needs both a male and female tree to produce viable seeds, as the Bay Willow is unable to self-pollinate. |
| Pests | There are species specific pests, such as the willow beetle, imported into America, the Brassy Willow Beetle, and the Blue Willow Beetle from England, which are all leaf sucking pests. The Giant Willow Aphid also presents issues by eating the leaf stems. Most commonly the Willow Sawfly wreaks havoc on juvenile Bay Willows. The larva feed on the shiny leaves, all the way down to the stems, and they can desiccate the entire young Salix pentandra; it's not usually a major problem in more established and otherwise healthy plants. Salix pentandra is also vulnerable to fungi if conditions are moist for long periods of time. A low impact disease is crown gall disease. Though it mostly only makes the tree look unpleasant, it comes late in the season and has little to no impact on the trees viability. |
| Habitat | Its natural habitat is alongside riverbeds, on lakes, and the edges of marshes; with a slightly higher-level pH between 6.5 and 7.5. The soil can be between fine to medium textured, with a medium to high moisture content. It is important to monitor moisture content, because root rot can affect this tree. In an established landscape, Salix pentandra would thrive. This specimen is a second story tree, meaning there needs to be dappled sunlight for optimal growth. |
| Bark/Stem Description | The bark of Salix pentandra begins in a light green, almost yellow hue in its herbaceous stage. As the specimen matures and grows, the bark takes on a grey hue and hardens. With the aging, the bark begins to form light ribbed furrows. They are like the ridging that happens on Acer rubrum and many other maples. |