Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"
Big treee ......
One off the hardest trees..for me anyway ...to be able to prune well.
Not that thats a worry now .How much did that one cost spike?Must have taken up the whole yard!!
Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’ G. Koidz.
Salicaceae - Willow Family
Twisted-Twig Willow
Corkscrew Willow
Identification: This is a narrow, upright willow with a distinctive habit. The common willow leaf, long, lanceolate, marks the place on each branch where the branch changes direction, bending away from the leaf.
Habitat: This tree is native to north-east Asia. It can be found in wet areas.
Uses: All willows are a good source of Salicin, an analgesic compound that offers relief from a host of ailments. Willow bark was chewed to relieve insomnia, colds, fever, inflammation and pain. A bark tea which is diuretic comes out in the urine and is therefore good for pain in the urinary tract. A leaf tea has astringent and antiseptic properties and is good for cuts. A root infusion was used to treat venereal disease, bruises, throat constriction, internal bleeding, bloodshot eyes and head sores. Roots were also dried, crushed and used with water to remove dandruff. A chewed-root poultice was used over horses’ eyes when troubled. Young shoots and leaves were also eaten raw, and the inner bark was ground into a flour. While willow is often used for all manner of construction, the shape of this willow’s branches makes it somewhat unsuitable for back rests, cord and such.
