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WILLOWS, including BLACK, RED, PACIFIC, PEACHLEAF,
CRACK, SCOULER (Salix species)
Other names: None other than willow.

POOR

Of the willow family these species sometimes reach tree size, up to 20" or 24" diameter. All willows look pretty much alike to most surveyors. The original surveyors merely called them all willow so they are grouped here. The willows named here are thought to be the most hardy. Some may live up to 150 years of age. The Black Willow of the Eastern States grows to tree size and is logged for lumber. It rarely exceeds 70 years of age. The wood of willows is soft and fibrous, decaying rapidly once dead. The willows require a moist stream bank type environment. 

Very few original willow bearing trees have been found. If blazed, the scribing is rotted away and the tree may have a decayed hole completely through the trunk. This writer has seen only one willow that was bark scribed. The letters BT were in the bark near the base and a large decayed hole above. Willow clumps will frequently be found at the record position of a willow bearing tree when the corner has been positively located by other evidence. It can be assumed that the clumps were stools of the bearing tree.

Do not mark willows for bearing trees except as a last resort. A sound Douglas-fir stump with the bark removed would be preferred. If willow must be used try bark scribing if the bark is smooth enough. If not, keep the blaze as small as possible; "BT" only might be best. Paint thoroughly.