Salix humboldtiana
Willd.
Salicaceae
Salix chilensis Moldenke
Salix chilensis Molina
Common Name: Sauce
Flowering plant in native habitat
Photograph by: Pato Novoa

General Information
Sauce is a deciduous tree with an open canopy and pendulous branches, growing from 12 - 20 metres tall. The bole is 40 - 60cm in diameter[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
], and can be unbranched for the first 12 metres[
341- Title
- South American Timbers: the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 190 Species.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bolza. E. & Christensen. F.J.
- Publisher
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- 0 643 02582 0
- Description
- A very useful guide.
].
The tree is a popular source of material for basket making. It also has local uses as a medicine and low-quality timber. Planted as a pioneer species in reforestation projects, as a hedge and to provide basket-making material, it is also an ornamental tree, used in landscaping projects[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. Cultivated in Costa Rica and Panama for the use of its rods in basketwork or for living fences (Cuba)[
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
S. America - Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, through Central America to Mexico.
Habitat
Found mainly in secondary forests, but always in places where the soil is moist by rivers etc[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Properties
Medicinal Rating |   |
Other Uses Rating |    |
Habit | Deciduous Tree |
Height | 15.00 m |
Growth Rate | Fast |
Pollinators | Insects, wind |
Self-fertile | No |
Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
The plant ranges from the temperate to the tropical zones, where it is found at elevations up to 2,000 metres[
369- Title
- Flora of Costa Rica
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago
- Year
- 1938
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Rather dated, but an excellent treatment of the area. Available for download from the internet.
].
Requires a sunny position[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Young plants establish well and grow away quickly[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The bark has been used medicinally[
369- Title
- Flora of Costa Rica
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago
- Year
- 1938
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Rather dated, but an excellent treatment of the area. Available for download from the internet.
]. It contains salicylic acid, from which aspirin has been derived. The bark has antiinflammatory properties.
Agroforestry Uses:
A pioneer species, able to rapidly invade open areas. It is adapted to humid soils[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
It is often planted along streams and irrigation ditches in order to prevent erosion[
341- Title
- South American Timbers: the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 190 Species.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bolza. E. & Christensen. F.J.
- Publisher
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- 0 643 02582 0
- Description
- A very useful guide.
].
It is one of the most frequently cultivated shade-providing trees of the Andes[
].
Because even large stems root easily, the tree has been used as a living fence[
].
Other Uses
The slender branches are flexible and are widely used in basketry, to make wicker furniture etc[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
369- Title
- Flora of Costa Rica
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago
- Year
- 1938
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Rather dated, but an excellent treatment of the area. Available for download from the internet.
].
The bark is rich in tannin[
341- Title
- South American Timbers: the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 190 Species.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bolza. E. & Christensen. F.J.
- Publisher
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- 0 643 02582 0
- Description
- A very useful guide.
]
The sapwood is indistinct from the heartwood[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. The wood is moderately lustrous; the grain normally straight; the texture fine and even[
341- Title
- South American Timbers: the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 190 Species.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bolza. E. & Christensen. F.J.
- Publisher
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- 0 643 02582 0
- Description
- A very useful guide.
]. It is light in weight, soft, of low resistance to rot when exposed, and very prone to marine borer, termite and blue stain attack[
341- Title
- South American Timbers: the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 190 Species.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bolza. E. & Christensen. F.J.
- Publisher
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- 0 643 02582 0
- Description
- A very useful guide.
,
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. It works very easily with most hand and machine tools; finishes smoothly if sharp cutters are used; glues and nails satisfactorily[
341- Title
- South American Timbers: the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 190 Species.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bolza. E. & Christensen. F.J.
- Publisher
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- 0 643 02582 0
- Description
- A very useful guide.
]. It is used for internal work, boxes, rural buildings, paper pulp etc[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
The wood can be used as a fuel[
369- Title
- Flora of Costa Rica
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago
- Year
- 1938
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Rather dated, but an excellent treatment of the area. Available for download from the internet.
]. It makes a good firewood[
341- Title
- South American Timbers: the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 190 Species.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bolza. E. & Christensen. F.J.
- Publisher
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- 0 643 02582 0
- Description
- A very useful guide.
].
Propagation
The seed is very small and light, being covered in a white down. Because they blow away so easily, they should be collected from the tree as soon as the seed capsules begin to open. Sow the seed immediately in a lightly shaded seed bed and do not cover them - but make sure the soil remains moist. The germination rate is usually quite low, taking place within a few weeks. The seedlings grow away quickly and can be planted out when about 25cm tall.
Cuttings root easily.
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