Willow leaved sea buckthorn, hippophae salicifolia
The plant is very fast growing, even in areas exposed to maritime winds and it makes an excellent pioneer species for providing shelter and helping to establish woodland conditions. It can grow up to about 15m tall, but can be trimmed to a smaller size.
The plant is very light-demanding and so will eventually be shaded out by the woodland trees, thus it will never outstay its welcome. The trees have an extensive and vigorous root system and sucker freely once established. They are thus excellent for stabilising the soil, especially on slopes, and create conditions for the re-establishment of woodlands.
The wood is very tough and hard - it can be used for many purposes including wheel hubs and other applications where toughness is essential.
Edible: Fruit - raw or cooked. A very nutritious food, and possibly the most nutritious fruit that can be grown in temperate climates. It is very rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C, plus minerals and bioflavonoids, and is also a source of essential fatty acids. It comes ripe in late summer, though it can be eaten for about a month before this, and will hang on the tree until mid-winter, by which time the flavour has become much milder, though it has also become very soft and difficult to pick. The flavour is somewhat like a sharp lemon and a lot people find this too acid for them, although other actually like that. It makes a good salad dressing. The fruits of some species and cultivars (not specified) contain up to 9.2% oil. The fruit is used for making preserves. It is being increasingly used in making fruit juices, especially when mixed with other fruits, because of its reputed health benefits. The fruit becomes less acid after a frost or if cooked.