🚀 go-pugleaf

At 03:58 PM 3/11/98 -0800, Frederick H. Landau wrote:
>>Reply-To: David D Close <dclose@SIU.EDU>
>>
>>I recently posted a question on the FOREST listserv regarding
>>the hybrid 'Austree'.  I only received two responses which
>>conflicted with one another. I am making a second attempt to
>>solicit or retrieve any objective information regarding this
>>hybrid.  I am specifically looking for any potentially negative
>>aspects of the tree such as root/sucker sprouting, weak wood
>>with high failure potential, escape from planting, etc. Also I
>>would like to know what species was used to produce this hybrid
>>(this is where I received conflicting information).
>>Does this tree have the potential to become a serious pest like
>>Tree-of-Heaven, Autumn Olive, Multi-flora Rose, Cudzu, etc...?!

The Austree hybrid was supposedly developed by the Department of Science &
 Industrial Research of New Zealand, although I can find no clear citations in
 the literature.

They have been, along with the "Sapphire Dragon Tree," the most
grossly mis-advertised trees in recent history. They are a hybrid
of a Sibero-Manchurian and Eurasian willow species (Salix
matsudana, Amur Willow and S. alba, White Willow.) White Willow has
escaped cultivation and has naturalized in temperate North America.
I do not know if the hybrid is sterile and have been unable to
ascertain this from available literature.

"Austree" Hybrids are represented in the United States by two
companies: Austree, Inc of Pescadero California, owned by Neil P.
Curry (1-800-638-1441; austree@online-info.com) and Rocky Mountain
Austree in Colorado Springs, Colorado, owned by Dennis Warnecke
(P O Box 9307, Colorado Springs, CO 80932; 719-635-9380 vox,
719-630-3329 fax)

From the article "Plant Advertisements: Fact versus Fiction" from
the Iowa State _Horticulture & Home Pest News_ (available online at
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1996/3-15-1996/ads.html):

"Advertisement: The Austree is a tree for all reasons. Hardy and
disease resistant from Alaska to Florida. Austrees are not
susceptible to most insects. Austrees are very fast growing trees.
Many people experience up to 15 feet of growth the first year.
Austrees have a life expectancy in excess of 50 years depending on
the growing conditions and the planting site.

Fact: The Austree is a hybrid willow. Its parents are the corkscrew
willow (Salix matsudana) and white willow (Salix alba).

Austrees planted in 1990 by the Department of Forestry at Iowa
State University have grown rapidly, especially those in moist
sites. Growth has been slower on drier sites, but is still
averaging 12 to 20 feet tall after 4 years. The major concerns
about Austrees are potential disease and insect problems. Both
corkscrew and white willows are susceptible to canker diseases. In
1995, the Plant Disease Clinic at Iowa State did receive several
Austree samples with stem cankers.

Because of potential disease and insect problems, the staff in
Forestry Extension recommends that Austrees be planted with
caution. Their best use would be as a component in a tree planting,
for example as a row in a windbreak. They are suitable for quick,
temporary screens, but should be planted along with longer-lived,
more permanent trees and shrubs. Austrees grow best in moist sites.

from Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Dial-a-Garden
message of 3 February 1997 (available online at
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/TRA/PLANTS/dial0203.html):

"The Austree is a cross between the White Willow (Salix alba) and
the Peking Willow (Salix matsudana). Our globe willow is a cultivar
of the Peking Willow. If you are looking for a tree with weak wood
and insect and disease susceptibility, the Austree is for you. This
tree would be good for a fast growing wind break, but plant some
slower growing trees to replace the Austrees as they begin to die."

Lenadams Dorris
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Arboretum

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lenadams dorris|lenadams@radiant.org|radiant.org/people/lenadams/
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