Life History & Disturbance Response of Salix sp. willow

Family: Salicaceae
Guild: Pioneer, moist-site, shade intolerant
Functional Lifeform: variable: shrublike or medium/large deciduous trees
Ecological Role: thrive in open, moist or wet areas; readily colonize scoured streambanks and wet flats; root systems spread rapidly and help control erosion
Lifespan, yrs (typical/max): Information Not Found
Shade Tolerance: very intolerant
Height, m: 8-25
Canopy Tree: no
Pollination Agent: wind or insects
Seeding, yrs (begins/optimal/declines): 10/Information Not Found
Mast Frequency, yrs: 1
New Cohorts Source: seeds or sprouts
Flowering Dates: early spring
Flowers/Cones Damaged by Frost: Information Not Found
Seedfall Begins: late spring -- early summer
Seed Banking: seasonal, < 1 month
Cold Stratification Required: no
Seed Type/Dispersal Distance/Agent: plumed/ > 200 m/ wind, water
Season of Germination: spring
Seedling Rooting System: shallow
Sprouting: root collar sprouts common
Establishment Seedbed Preferences
Substrate: mineral
Light: open areas only
Moisture: moist/wet required
Temperature: neutral
Disturbance response:
Fire: Fires are rare in the bottomland areas where most willows typically occur. Thin-barked and shallow-rooted, willows are susceptible to damage and topkill from fire, but sprout readily.
Air pollution: Willows are sensitive to sulphur dioxide and tolerant of hydrogen fluoride.