Salix bebbiana
Bebb’s Willow
Like other willows, Bebb’s Willow is an important early source of pollen in the springtime for bees. A close examination of the bark will reveal a deformity in the wood or diamond-shaped canker, making Bebb’s Willow one of several “diamond willow” species. This canker is the result of the fungus Valsa sordida. The diamond shape in the bark leaves an impression in the wood grain, making the wood of this willow variety a favorite among carvers. The pliable twigs and branches of willows are used in basketry and can also be woven to construct a “living fence” or one that continues to grow. The tree is named after Michael Schuck Bebb (1833-95), a botanist who specialized in the study of North American willows. Bebb was famous for his large herbarium or collection of preserved plants. By 1873 his herbarium boasted 15,000 species.