Source: US DEPT. OF ENERGY, 2/6/17

Shrub willow can provide a source for renewable energy, environmental benefits, and opportunities for rural communities to diversify their income. Standing at more than 10 feet tall, shrub willow is an ideal crop for sustainable bioenergy production. It’s fast growing and high yielding, and it improves soil health and provides habitat for birds and small mammals. ANL recently conducted a study that demonstrates that it can also improve water quality. By planting strips of willow along the edges of a corn field, they found it was able to reduce nitrogen fertilizer runoff by 30%. Shrub willow absorbed this nitrogen, using it for its own growth, preventing it from entering nearby water sources—a service that benefits the farmer, the larger community, and the environment. Read more on the EERE blog.