Willow Trees

[gummybearpoop]

I wanted to plant a willow tree and I have heard of people feeding willow leaves to tortoises.

Which is edible Willow Acacia (Acacia salicina) or Desert Willow(Chilopsis linearis)?

Thank you

 

[Yvonne G]

I used to have a very large weeping willow next to my pond. My aldabran pen is next door to the pond and the willow branches would hang down into their pen. I would see them standing up on tippy toe to grasp the swinging, trailing branches of willow so they could eat them. I believe its called salix babylonica.

Yvonne

 

[gummybearpoop]

thanks Yvonne

does anyone know if Willow Acacia (Acacia salicina) or Desert Willow(Chilopsis linearis) are ok for tortoises?

 

[Crazy1]

according to http://africantortoise.com/edible_landscaping.htm
Willow - Salicaccae family - Ssp. is edible and a good landscape tree. So I would say that any Willow would work. If not eaten by your torts at least will provide shade and is not toxic.

 

[gummybearpoop]

Thanks Robyn

 

[Itort]

Neither of these plants are true willows (Salix sp.) or remotely related to them. The Willow Acacai is an Australian plant that used by native people as a fish toxin and from what the USDA plant list says about Desert Willow is that it has minimal value as a forage plant.

 

[gummybearpoop]

Neither of these plants are true willows (Salix sp.) or remotely related to them. The Willow Acacai is an Australian plant that used by native people as a fish toxin and from what the USDA plant list says about Desert Willow is that it has minimal value as a forage plant.

Thanks Larry.

I read about the Willow Acacai and it said they are used as fodder, but didn't state much about the nutrional value.

I plan to plant a Desert Willow anyhow, but not near the tortoise pen. I was wondering if I could feed the leaves to my tortoises.