The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-08-31
The Willow IS q Timber Tree.

And there are some trees Wnlcn are
deserving of mere attention than has yet
been given them in this country. The
willow, for instance, has seldom been
cultivated in large way; and yet there
are few trees SO easily grown, or which
will pay better for cultivation. They
adapt themselves to wide range of soil
and climate. They grow on high ground
and on gravelly soils not less than by
the sides of streams, where we most COM
monty see them. They are of rapid
growth and yield large return. The
osier-willow is especially useful, we
know, for the manufacture of baskets,
chairs. and other articles of furniture,
we import it to the extent of S., O0O, 600
annually, when we might pro-
duce it easily in almost any part of
the country. We hardly think of the
willow as timber tree or for the pro-
duction of lumber, but only as yielding
a cheap sort of fuel. But in England
the wood is greatly prised for many pur-
poses. While it is light it is also
tough; it does not break into slivers.
Hardly any wood is SO good, therefore,
for the lining of carts and wagons used
in drawing stone or other rough and
heavy articles. 1t makes excellent
charcoal, especially for the manufacture
of gunpowder. 1t bears exposure to the
weather, and boards made of it are very
servicable for fences. Some species OF
it are admirable for use as live fence
or hedge. On account of its compare
tive incom bustibility, the willow is emf
gently useful for the floors Of buildings
designed to be fire-proof. It grows to
large size and furnishes great amount
of lumber There is white willow
growing at Stockbridge, Mass, which
at four feet from the ground measures
twenty-five feet in circumference, and
extends its branches sixty feet in every
direction. Tradition saysit was brought
from Connecticut in 1907 by traveller,
who used il as . riding switch. The
Hon. Jessie w. Fell, in giving IN 60
count of experiments in tree planting ON
an extensive scale in Illinois, says:
Were / called upon to designate one
tree. which, more than ell othsrr,
would recommend for general planting,
I would say unhesitatiugly it should b
the willow" Prof. Brewer says: I'm
England, whore it 10 often sixty 10 sew
enty feet high in twenty years, there e
no wood in greater demand than good
willow. II is light, very tough, soft,
takes good finish, will bear more pound
ing and knocks than any other wood
grown there, and hence 10 used for
cricket bats. for floats to paddle-whsels
Of steamers, and break blocks on cara.
1t is used extensively for turning. plank
ing coasting vessels. furniture. or Jokes,
wooden legs, shoc-lAsts, ETC." Fuller
says: 1T Rroweth incredibly last lit be-
ing by-word that the profit by willow
will buy the owner . horse before that
by other trees will pay. for saddle:"
The basket willow, we'll cultivated, all
yield net income Of $50 year 70 ihe
acre. On the whole, therefore, il would
seem that the various kinds Of willow,
the economic value Of which he's ben
hitherto entirely overloaded in this coan-
txy, are eninenlly deserving q etoeoejoas
asd viii amply reward thoeo who col6-
~ 49, Popalhx eeisacs Msa1hly.