What is this one?

Jeff · September 08, 2011, 08:37:10 AM

While thinning out some tag alder from a young aspen stand right behind the cabin, we exposed this tree. I don't know what it is, but my guess is perhaps some sort of willow?

thecfarm · September 08, 2011, 08:46:55 AM

I think I have the same thing. Not many grow up in the woods as I would say.Seems to grow down by the road. They never amount too much and seem to grow just about like what I see you have. I cut some early this year,trying to get a better view of the field drving up the road. I have no idea what they are.

Sprucegum · September 08, 2011, 01:39:23 PM

Looks like "Diamond Willow" or red willow to me although the leaves seem a bit wide ???

WDH · September 08, 2011, 09:05:32 PM

I am not familiar with this species, but I did notice that the upper side and under side of the leaf has two different colors. Bright green on top, a dull light green on the bottom. This should be a distinctive characteristic.

Texas Ranger · September 08, 2011, 09:31:59 PM

Broadleaf willow?

ahlkey · September 09, 2011, 10:56:56 AM

Looks like to me as Bebb's Willow which can be found throughout the state. It is one of the many Willow species in Wisconsin but the only one that is simple with alternate leaves that are mostly margined. The upper surface of the leaf have veins that are impressed. Tree is almost always multiple-stemmed and the bark similar to your picture. I find Willows are very hard to tell apart from each other in general.

Aroostooksawyer · September 09, 2011, 02:37:21 PM

maybe pussy willow

RynSmith · September 09, 2011, 05:19:18 PM

Quote from: ahlkey on September 09, 2011, 10:56:56 AM
I find Willows are very hard to tell apart from each other in general.

In dendrology, our prof didn't even try - we passed with Salix spp.

I agree with a willow of some sort.

SwampDonkey · September 09, 2011, 11:20:03 PM

Looks like pussy willow Salix discolor. They can get quite a big trunk on them, but not real tall, maybe 25 feet. They tend to have a lot of side sprouts off the trunk that grow tight to the main stem instead of reaching out laterally. In a field plantation I have been working on, I found one spot that the brush saw couldn't cut them because they were too big. Seem harder than aspen to.

WDH · September 10, 2011, 06:52:48 AM

Discolor, huh? I knew that the color difference leaf top to leaf bottom had to be distinctive.

clww · September 10, 2011, 08:47:47 AM

Pussy Willow.

thecfarm · September 10, 2011, 08:04:10 PM

Jeff must grow pussy willows big at his place. I've never seen any that size.

ahlkey · September 11, 2011, 12:06:29 AM

The primary reason I thought it was Bebb's willow was the visual diamonds which is actually cankers produced by a fungus. It has a similar discolor and leaf description but unlike pussy willow typically is more often seen as a tree than a shrub.

SwampDonkey · September 11, 2011, 03:58:50 AM

Bebb/beaked willow is pubescent with serrated edges, and rough textured like alder. Pussy willow isn't. Pussy willow does grow to 27 feet and considered a small tree as well. Those leaves don't look toothed or pubescent.

Bebb willow

Pussy Willow
Note the bark picture is a small stem. The bark of willows up here is covered in lichens like the trees.

The ones I found in my thinning are even bigger than Jeff's, growing on pasture. They also get big in aspen/softwood forest that is damp. At times the trunk looks like some of the aspens. I've left hundreds of willow for crop trees on crown land. They are usually doomed to perpetual moose harassment. ;D

ahlkey · September 11, 2011, 09:20:36 AM

You are right but the Bebbs around here are mostly entirely margined, although a few coarse teeth may sometimes be present as the link points out. I agree the upper surface of the leaf is usually clearly rugose. Your link is helpful.

The following one shows a picture of the ones around here that fairly common.
As I mentioned before I find Willows a tough species to tell apart and Bebb's just don't get that large. The record I believe is only 23ft high.

http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/trees/salbeb01.htm

WDH · September 11, 2011, 08:26:25 PM

Rugose. Now that is a good adjective!

SwampDonkey · September 12, 2011, 04:34:15 AM

Yes it is. ;D

Such as Alnus rugosa , speckled alder. ;)

WDH · September 12, 2011, 09:00:09 PM

I love botanical terms.

"You have some axillary pubescence on your receptacle, and your locule is tardily dehiscent. Also, your mother was a hamster, and your Father smelt of elderberries." :D

beenthere · September 12, 2011, 09:14:30 PM

And then she slapped you...... :

But.. why you asked.

nas · September 12, 2011, 09:17:27 PM

Quote from: WDH on September 12, 2011, 09:00:09 PM
I love botanical terms.

"You have some axillary pubescence on your receptacle, and your locule is tardily dehiscent. Also, your mother was a hamster, and your Father smelt of elderberries." :D

Now go! Or I will taunt you a second time :D

WDH · September 12, 2011, 09:23:56 PM

BT,

I would have slapped myself, too.

Bandmill Bandit · September 12, 2011, 10:55:21 PM

lots a good laughs above! but back to the tree. It looks like diamond willow to me, or at least that what we call em around here. get as much of the bigger trunk part and send it to me. I would love to saw that one up.

mad murdock · September 13, 2011, 10:27:03 PM

Quote from: Bandmill Bandit on September 12, 2011, 10:55:21 PM
lots a good laughs above! but back to the tree. It looks like diamond willow to me, or at least that what we call em around here. get as much of the bigger trunk part and send it to me. I would love to saw that one up.

I would agree, that would be intersting mill fodder! I have never seen a pussy willow that big, wow. Now bring us a shrubery!

SwampDonkey · September 14, 2011, 03:34:23 AM

There are just some trees you learn to hate cutting with a brush saw, one of them is willow. It's more to do with the darn moose making apple trees out of them and when you cut one it rolls like tumble weed and usually on yourself. ;)