The Willow Tree

Willows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix, around 400 speciesof deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere


Some willows (particularly arctic and alpine species) are low-growing or creeping shrubs; for example the Dwarf Willow (Salix herbacea) rarely exceeds 6 cm (2 in) in height, though spreading widely across the ground.

Willows are very cross-fertile, and numerous hybrids occur, both naturally and in cultivation. A well-known ornamental example is the Weeping Willow (Salix × sepulcralis), which is a hybrid of Peking Willow (Salix babylonica) from China and White Willow (Salix alba) from Europe

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They are hardy and will easily survive. Then they grow deep, strong, and long roots. The roots can wind around sewer pipes and cause a great deal of damage. The roots are aggressive and can be difficult to gain control over. 

In the wild, weeping willow trees can be used as a filtering system. Weeping willow trees can capture polluted water and use that water for growing. 

This process actually filters polluted water with toxic chemicals. It cleans the water. It can be considered a waste water treatment process.

In the past weeping willow trees have been used as medicine. This is an interesting fact. As far back as Egypt, the bark of the weeping willow has been mentioned a medicine. It was used to help patients with fevers. American Indians used the bark of the weeping willow. One of the components of the bark of the weeping willow is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is the precursor to aspirin. The bark could have reduced fevers for the Egyptians as well as Indians.

In summary, weeping willow trees have many advantages and some disadvantages.  Weeping willow trees can be used ecologically to purify water and for medicinal purposes. The major disadvantage is the in residential areas their roots can strangle the sewer pipes


Further information visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_tree