Salix amygdaloides aka Peach Leaf Willow

Salix amygdaloides, the peach-leaved willow, is a deciduous tree. It belongs to the willow family, Salicaceae. Kew places its native range from Canada through the United States. Plants For A Future also lists northern Mexico. It grows beside muddy streams and in wet riverside woods. These habitats extend to about 6,890 feet [2,100 metres] above sea level. The species comes from temperate regions of North America.

This fast-growing tree can reach about 66 feet [20 metres]. Its life in the wild is fairly short. Young stems bend well and serve as basket material. Flowers form catkins, which appear in April. Each tree bears either male or female flowers. Bees pollinate them, and the blooms provide early nectar. Seed production needs trees of both sexes. The seeds ripen in May, soon after the flowering season.

Give this willow sun and soil that stays damp. It does not grow well in shade. It accepts sand, loam, and clay, including heavy clay. Damp, heavy ground suits it best. It also tolerates poor drainage and periods of flooding. Mildly acid to neutral soil suits its needs. Chalk soils tend to give poor results. Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Young trees need careful siting because their roots resent disturbance. Planting them in their final place while young helps avoid this problem.

Its roots help hold soil along riverbanks and limit erosion. The same strong root growth can cause trouble near drains. It can fill cleared ground where enough moisture remains. This makes it useful as a short-lived pioneer tree. It also has a place in a woodland garden canopy. Growers can cut stems back each year for basket shoots. A two-year cutting cycle gives thicker poles. The bark supplies tannin and a pale brown dye. The species crosses freely with other willows.

Plants For A Future records no known edible uses or hazards. That does not establish that every part is safe to eat. The source records traditional uses of bark for stomach complaints and cuts. It also records branch-tip soaks used for leg and foot cramps. These are reports of past use, not proof of treatment benefits. Fresh seed needs prompt surface sowing because it loses viability fast. Both hardwood and partly ripe cuttings root with ease.