Creative Woodworks & crafts 2005-03, страница 40

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Black willow (silax nigra marsh) is commonly referred to simply as willow. Relative to any other species, the willows present the greatest amount of confusion to botanists. There are at least 200 species growing from the arctic to the equator, with more than 75 found in North America. I have highlighted black willow here because it is tile primary species harvested for commercial purposes. As far as woodworking goes, il is grouped with white willow (silax alba) and crack willow (5. fragilis L.). both of which have been imported from Europe and are harvested, though to a lesser extent. The remainder of the species are shrubs and do not grow large enough for woodworking; however, several provide long slender twigs used in baskets and folk furniture.

To add to the confusion of identification, there arc individual variations within a species, minute identification marks, and hybridization. In fact, "The Complete Encyclopedia of Trees & Shrubs" (published by Thunder Bay Press) lists 56 ornamental varieties.