Willow roots

May 15. 

Black currant at R. W. E.'s. 

Abel Hosmer thought that the Salix alba roots might reach half a dozen rods into his field as big as your finger. Thought that they made the grass grow as much as the locust; only they made it rough plowing by throwing the plow out.

H. D. Thoreau, Journal, May 15, 1857

Black currant at R. W. E.’s. See May 18, 1856 (“R. W. E.’s black currant (which the wild Ribes floridum is said to be much like), maybe a day.”)

Salix alba roots might reach half a dozen rods into his field. See  January 16, 1857 and  February 10, 1857 ("the willows . . . so filled the ground with their roots . . .that you could not plow within five rods of them . .”)