Salix pyrifolia – Balsam Willow

A medium-sized shrub of wetlands – occasionally a small tree. The bright red twigs and leaf buds and bronze flush on new leaves is similar to the showy Bayberry Willow (S. myricoides) – Balsam Willow may even be a more attractive species. This is a northern willow, occurring from Maine to Minnesota northward into Canada. In New York, it’s only found in the Adirondack Mountains and St Lawrence River Valley and is considered uncommon in the state with only 5 healthy populations. The specific epithet “pyrifolia” means “pear-like foliage” – the common name though is not “Pear Willow” but “Balsam Willow” because its leaves and twigs have a resin which causes dried specimens to smell like balsam fir!