Abstract:Plant height (H), leaf area (a), total leaf areas of individual plant (A), length of branch (L), dry weight of stem (h), net photosynthetic rate (t) and dry matter productivity of each plant (T), etc. were measured in annual cuttings of 20 clones of 10 willow species. Genetic variations and correlations of photosynthetic characteristics were studied by means of variance, correlation and path analysis. Results show that genetic variations of photosynthetic characteristics among species and clones varied considerablly. Direct influence of total leaf areas on plant height is greatest, that is P(HA)=11.3838. The components of correlative coefficients between plant heigh and photosynthetic characteristics also show significantly positive effect of total leaf areas (A). Therefore the key factor for breeding willows for timber production is to increase total leaf areas of the individual plant.