Fast-growing willow shrub named ‘Tully Champion’

Abstract

A distinct female cultivar of Salix viminalis×S. miyabeana named ‘Tully Champion’, characterized by rapid stem growth producing greater than 25% more woody biomass than two current production clones ( Salix dasyclados ‘SV1’ and Salix miyabeana ‘SX64’), more than 2.5-fold greater biomass than one of its parents ( Salix miyabeana ‘SX67’), and nearly 3-fold more biomass than another production clone ( Salix sacchalinensis, ‘SX61’) when grown in the same field for the same length of time (two growing seasons after coppice) in Tully, N.Y. ‘Tully Champion’ can be planted from dormant stem cuttings, produces multiple stems after coppice, and the stem biomass can be harvested when the plant is dormant. In the spring following harvest, the plant will re-sprout very vigorously, producing new stems that can be harvested repeatedly after two to four years of growth. ‘Tully Champion’ displays a low incidence of rust disease and is not damaged by potato leafhoppers.

1. A new and distinct variety of  Salix viminalis×S. miyabeana  plant, substantially as illustrated and described herein.