Streambank Revegetation and Protection: A Guide for Alaska
Plant Species Selection Lists

Shrubs and Trees Suited for Dormant Cuttings

Species Suitable
for Dormant Cuttings
Revegetation
Uses for Plants3
Range1, 2 AK Wetland Indicator4 Description
Feltleaf Willow
Salix alaxensis
DC, LS, B, BL, L, H, RC, T, S Throughout Alaska/Arctic coast to Wrangell in S.E. AK, S.W. to Unalaska FAC Tree-like shrub on gravel bars, floodplain terraces of rivers, lakes, and streams. Has dense, white felt-like appearance to underside of leaves.
Pacific Willow
S. lasiandra
DL, LS, B, BL, L, H, RC, T, S Interior Alaska, S. Central Alaska Northern S.E. Alaska FACW Tree-like shrub found on sand, silt bars, and alluvial deposits in forested areas. Has lance shaped leaves with glassy upper surface
Barclay Willow
S. barclayi
DC, B, BL, H, RC, T, S Eastern Aleutians to Hyder in S.E. Alaska Rare in Interior lowlands FAC Common thicket forming shrub along small streams and, forest openings. Sometimes has willow gatis or roses at end of twigs.
Sitka Willow
S. sitchensis
DC, LS, B, BL, L, H, RC, T, S Pacific coast of S.E. and Southern Alaska to Kodiak Island, North to Anchorage FAC Tree-like shrub along streams and beaches or open spots in forest. Underside of leaves have a silky appearance.
Undergreen Willow
S. commutata
DC, LS, B, BL, L, H, RC, T, S Central Alaska Range, South to Kodiak, Aleutian Islands, Northern S.E. Alaska FAC Low to medium shrub forming thickets along streams and rocky slopes. Densely hairy when young. Often found with Barclay Willow.
Little-Tree Willow
S. arbusculoides
DC, LS, B, BL, H, RC, T, S Central Alaska, North Slopes of Brooks Range, Kenai Peninsula FACW Tall shrub to small tree found in openings of mixed forest and along streams. Has slender glossy leaves. Best mixed with other willows for revegetation.
Diamond Leaf Willow
S. pulchra
DC, LS, B, BL, H, RC, T, S Most of Alaska, Northern S.E. Alaska. Absent from remainder of S.E. and Western Aleutians FACW Medium shrub, forms thickets along streams, lakes, and in alpine tundra. Slender twigs root readily. Best mixed with other species for bulk.
Balsam Poplar - Cottonwood
Populus balsamnifera
P. trichocarpa
DC, LS, B, BL, H, RC, T, S Balsam Poplar-Widespread in Alaska to North of Brooks Range in limited areas.  Cottonwood lowlands of coastal forests. FACU These trees occur on floodplains and openings in forests Balsam Poplar is a medium sized tree and Cottonwood is the largest broadleaf tree in Alaska.  Appearance and habitat of two species overlap.
Red Osier Dogwood
Cornus stolonifera
DC, LS, B, BL, H, RC, T, S Lower and Central Yukon to Southeast Alaska FAC Red-barked medium tall shrub with opposite leaves, white flowers and berries. Moist soils on floodplains and forest openings. Best mixed with other species for revegetation.
1  Argus, G.W. 1973.  The genus Salix in Alaska and the Yukon.   The National Museum of Canada, Ottawa. 278 pp.
2  Viereck, L.A. and E.L. Little, Jr. 1986.  Alaska Trees and Shrubs.  University of Alaska Press. 265 pp.
3  Key to suitable revegetation technique for each species:
    DC - dormant cutting        B - bundles                 L - live siltation             RC - rooted cuttings             R - root cuttings
    LS - live stakes                BL- brush layer           H - hedge layering         T - transplants                     S - seed
4  Discussion of wetland indicators found in the introduction to this section:
      · A plant that is FACW occurs 66-99 percent of the time in a wetland.
      · A FAC plant occurs either in a wetland or non-wetland environment.
      · A FACU plant usually (67-99 percent of the time) occurs in non-wetland environment,
         but can occur in a wetland environment 33 percent of the time or less.