The Scientific Legacy of the Cricket Bat Willow

In January 1941, botanist John Wilkinson published a landmark cytological study in the Annals of Botany (New Series, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 149–166) titled “The Cytology of the Cricket Bat Willow (Salix alba var. caerulea)”. It is widely established in the USA and listed in the USDA Plants Database under Salix alba.

Nearly 85 years later, Wilkinson’s 1941 paper remains a foundational reference in willow taxonomy and forestry. 

At Olivery Orchards, we honor this rich scientific heritage by offering verified, high-quality Salix alba var. caerulea stock, true to the historic standards that have made the cricket bat willow legendary.

Whether you are planting for timber production, riparian restoration, or a stately landscape feature, this historic variety brings unmatched growth rate, form, and legacy to American soil.

Available now at Olivery Orchards! the cricket bat willow, rooted in history and ready for the future.