Salix x 'Americana' consistently produces high selling basketry willow. A medium shrub that grows to 10 ft (3 m) with almost no side branching, it is a natural for basketry rod production. Long straight stems start yellow green, and turn a rich golden to reddish brown by end of season. When soaked for weaving they dry a unique reddish-brown. The rods can easily be forced by coppicing to grow to a larger diameter, making them perfect for rustic structures and furniture. Attractive male catkins start gray, turn red, and eventually yellow with pollen. Shrub produces an abundance of bright foliage. Tops of leaves are a bright olive green, and the undersides of the leaves are slightly bluish-green. Attracts, and is pollinated by bees.
