Salix alba (species)

Species of medium-sized tree native to the British Isles, Europe, and North Asia, but naturalized in the U.S. and elsewhere. Its wood is tough, strong, and lightweight, but is prone to decay. The stems (withies) are used for basketmaking. Charcoal made from the wood was used in the manufacture of gunpowder. The bark was used for tanning leather. The common name refers to the fact that the undersides of the leaves are white in color. In some classifications may be divided into subspecies, including Salix alba ssp vitellina.