Salix bebbiana

Bebb’s willow is in the willow or Salicaceae family and is native to much of Canada, and the northern United States and down as far south as to Colorado and New Mexico. It is a multiple-stemmed shrub or small tree quite tolerant of rocky soils through to marsh areas.

• Leaves are simple, alternate, ovate in shape, widest in the middle and tapering to the base and the tip. Leaves are dull green, new leaves downy hairs, up to 12 cm long and 4 cm wide.
• Species is dioecious. Both males and females produce small dangling catkins.
• Seed structures are shaped like miniature red peppers, drying out to release the seeds on fluffy fibers that are the vehicle for the seeds being dispersed in the wind.
• This is the most important species of diamond willow if you are a carver!