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| ## purpleosier willow {#purpleosier-willow .Title-Header}             |
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| *Salix purpurea* L.                                                   |
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| Plant Symbol = SAPU2                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS New York State Office

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

Purpleosier willow is used extensively in soil bioengineering systems
and to control erosion along streambanks resulting from flood and ice
damage. Its fast growth, resilient stems, and ability to recover from
mechanical damage make it an ideal plant for this use. When used in this
manner, it provides cover for small animals and browse for deer, beaver
and rabbits and exceptional nesting sites for birds. The whips are
useful in vineyards for tying up grapevines and also for basket making.
This species was brought to North America by the Europeans and grown for
these purposes.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

![Color image of Purpleosier Willow (Salix
purpurea)](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.1354330708661418in"
height="2.041732283464567in"}Purpleosier willow is a medium to tall
introduced shrub growing 10 to 20 feet high, with smooth, slender,
tough, resilient branches, purplish at first but later changing to gray
or olive-gray. The leaves arise in pairs but not quite oppositely, are
smooth tongue-shaped, finely-toothed near the tip only, 2 to 4 inches
long, bluish-green above and pale below. The catkins are small, arise in
almost opposite pairs, and mature in spring before the leaves come out.
Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. Purpleosier willow
is a solitary shrub, sending up many branches from the base. Growth is
rapid, reaching from 2 to 8 feet in two years; often to full height of
15-20 feet in five years. On nutrient-rich sites it can grow to 25 feet.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Purpleosier willow is climatically adapted to all the northeastern
states. Well-drained to imperfectly-drained soils are most suitable for
this species. It can be used on soils of any texture, but makes best
growth on silt loams.

Purpleosier willow is distributed primarily throughout the Northeast.
For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Purpleosier willow is susceptible to severe browsing by livestock and
cannot be established without protection. Banks that are eroded and
undercut to a steep unplantable slope require grading prior to planting.

*Cuttings:* Plant as one year old rooted cuttings, or dormant hardwood
cuttings. If dormant cuttings are used, they should be 3/8 to 1/2 inch
at the thick end, 12 to 15 inches long, and made before the leaves
emerge. Dormant cuttings should be planted vertically with only an inch
or two protruding. If they cannot be pushed in the soil by hand, use a
rod to make a hole but be sure the cutting is tamped in well with the
heel to avoid leaving any air spaces. If the soil is too stony to for
this technique, the cutting may be buried horizontally about one inch
deep in damp soil. Rooted cuttings should be planted in a hole dug big
enough to accommodate the root system when well-spread. On difficult
streambanks, it is sometimes necessary to mulch the planting with coarse
plant material, even wiring and staking the mulch down in some cases.
Plant at 2 to 3 foot spacing from just above water\'s edge or rip-rap,
to the top of the bank.

*Soil Bioengineering Uses*[:]{.underline} \'Streamco\' purpleosier
willow is the premier source of materials for these practices.
\'Streamco\' provides the best combination of growth, stem density,
flexibility, and toughness of any willow tested for these uses. Dormant
whips are very useful when bundled into wattles (live fascines) or for
brush layering and mattressing systems. Stem sections work well in live
staking systems, and larger diameter (1 1/2-2 inches) older stems are
useful in pole applications. 'Streamco' willow can be produced in the
nursery to specification to meet all the above uses. Planting methods
for soil bioengineering are regionally varied. Consult with the Plant
Materials Specialist for planting recommendations. Other species can be
added to plantings of \"Streamco\' to create diversity.

[Living Snow Fence]{.underline} \'Streamco\' willow is an excellent
choice for creating living snow fence due to its stem density. With
Streamco, a single row snow fence will begin to trap snow in the second
year, and become very effective in three to four years.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Purpleosier willow used on streambanks may experience mechanical damage.
The site should be inspected annually in spring, after heavy run-off has
subsided, for needed repairs. Gaps should be filled in by replanting, or
laying down and covering branches of nearby plants. Any mechanical
measures used to protect the bank toe, such as stone rip-rap, must be
kept in repair as well.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Purpleosier willow is relished by livestock and planting sites must be
protected for this reason. Beaver can also have a big impact on this
species. Gypsy moths will defoliate purpleosier willow, and twig galls
are created from attacks by willow midges, however these attacks are not
fatal. The most severe pest is willow blight which is a fatal disease
complex brought on by two fungi affecting leaves and stems.

Fungicides and cultural management can be used to combat this disease.
Purpleosier willow plants that have been damaged by summer hailstorms
are prime candidates for willow blight.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

A cultivar of purpleosier willow, 'Streamco,' was released by the Big
Flats Plant Materials Center in 1975. 'Streamco' is a male clone and
does not root sucker, so it does not spread. Rooted and unrooted
cuttings, whips, branches, live stakes, and wattles can be purchased
from a variety of nurseries in the Northeast.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

*John Dickerson* (retired), USDA NRCS New York State Office, Syracuse,
New York

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060817 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060817-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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