One tree, Salix exigua, is known by many names: blue, gray, narrow-leaved, dusky, sandbar and coyote willow.
It along with the Gooding’s, red, arroyo and Pacific willows are five of the more than 20 species of willow trees native to California growing in local wildlife areas. While they are generally more subdued in size and structure than massive oaks and towering cottonwoods, their importance to wildlife and history is immense.
Virtually every native American tribe in California used willow branches to weave baskets. In the Miwok culture, sleeping on a bed or raised bench made from willow poles was a status symbol, and without willow branches used in boat making, early travel on the many lakes and rivers in the state might not have happened.
Willow branches were used to weave racks for drying corn, as sunshades and as thatching for roofs. Early in spring the inner bark was harvested and braided into rope. Willow bark tea was used as a remedy for headaches, fever, and sore throat. Its leaves were brewed to make a cure for laryngitis.
Setting aside their use for many things human, willows are one of the more important tree species of riparian habitat, providing year-round support for wildlife. They bloom very early in the season supplying a great source of pollen and nectar for bee species.
Their twiggy structure provides the perfect framework to support the nests of birds. Willow seeds also feed birds. In addition, species like hummingbirds and warblers line their nests with the fluff produced in spring by female willow trees.
When willows’ small leaves fall to the ground, they form a fine-textured leaf litter, full of seeds and over-wintering insects that feed ground-foraging birds like thrushes, towhees and sparrows.
Willows support more than 400 species of butterflies and moths and are the host plant to many. After hatching from the eggs of those moths and butterflies, larvae and caterpillars, in turn, provide protein-rich food for growing chicks in nearby nests. Countless more insect species are found on willows which makes them invaluable plants to the ecosystem since 96 percent of North American bird species feed insects to their young.
Quail and other birds eat the buds of willows; and elk, deer, and beaver browse the twigs and leaves. Many willow species also provide lovely displays of fall color for those who take time to look.
So, take the time to find the places on the refuge or other wild areas where willows are growing. They can be found near riparian areas, along open irrigation canals and in some cases, just along the edge of the road. They are a happy lot as much as trees can be so, except for the weeping willow which is not native to the new world and sadly doesn’t grow here in the wild.
The Merced National Wildlife Refuge (located at 7430 West Sandy Mush Road), the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge and the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge comprise the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Its headquarters and visitor center are located just north of Los Banos off Highway 165 at 7376 South Wolfsen Road.
The refuges are open to visitors daily from one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. The visitor center is open Monday through Friday except federal holidays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information call 209 826-3508 ext. 127.
The third event in the San Luis NWR Complex Summer Speaker Series is coming Saturday, August 3, at 10 a.m. at the visitor center of the San Luis NWR. Rick Lewis is a frequent visitor to the local national wildlife refuges who spends countless hours enjoying nature and wildlife photography there. Join him as he shares some of his experiences and pictures from the past year observing and photographing the wildlife and spaces found throughout the refuge complex. For more information call the visitor center at 209-826-3508, ext. 127.
