Hi--Master Gardener in Plant and Insect Clinic in SW Washington State. Client brought in a specimen of a bush or tree--had a single trunk, but was bushy and about 10 feet tall. Smooth bark, gray bark on trunk. It is growing in a sunny field by itself. No flowers have been noticed on the tree Alternate leaves Crenulate leaf margins the top of the leaf is moderately shiny back of leaf is lighter in color and pubescent the terminal bud is unusual--tube shaped, and the very newest leaves almost look serrated. I've done some preliminary searching, but can't narrow it down enough to make a determination. Any ideas? Thanks!
You nailed it! Thanks so much...I always think of willows with narrow pointed leaves. I think this is Salix Hookerianna (Hooker's Willow) http://www.nwplants.com/business/catalog/sal_hoo.html
Azalea-like branching of piece on the right would be more like Scouler willow. Also Hooker willow is found only near water unless planted, produces stout shoots covered in white fuzz. The large leaves mature black-green on top and are conspicuously white hairy beneath at least when young (it depends on if we include Piper willow within Hooker willow or not). Also the galls are species-specific so you can probably tell just by those.
So the cylindrical, rolled up terminal leaf bud is a gall? I thought that was just normal growth. I appreciate you educating me on this!
So I decided to cut open that area on the terminal bud. And look what I found in it! Very cool! Can't find information on galls that are specific to Scouler willow, though. Got out my microscope--a bit fuzzy, but very interesting!
Tree-like willows expected to be seen in the area are covered by A. L. Jacobson in his guidebook Trees of Seattle - Second Edition (2006), where you will also find the galls seen on each species of willow mentioned. I suggest you review his account and then check on each species that seems possible using additional resources before deciding which one this example may be. Botanical treatment of the local species of this general type (Subgenus Vetrix) can be found here: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=129059
