Is your willow weeping (Willow Tree (Salix))

Member Name: mumsymary

Product:	Willow Tree (Salix)
Date:	15/03/08 (2935 review reads)
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Where do I start to tell you about willow? There are literally hundreds of different species willows in the genus Salix. The willow/ Salix are a native tree of England and other countries too.
Some trees of the Salix species are miniature and grow only 6 feet 2 metres tall other species grow up to 60 foot/ 20 metres tall

A willow tree is probably one most people will recognise for the flower catkins commonly called pussy willow. Some of the willow species produce this flower it's a soft stroke able almost furry little catkin about 3 to 7 cm long. It's very sensual; if you have some near you I defy you not to stroke at least one catkin. If you look now you will find pussy willow catkins on willow trees. They bloom before the tree gets its first young fresh green leaves. A catkin is lots of little flowers all grown together.

The willow tree can be either a male tree or a female tree the male pussy willow catkins get yellow pollen on the fluffy catkin which is either blown in the wind or carried on an insect's nose or feet to a female tree with female catkins. The female catkins are a lesser catkin and a pale green colour. After pollination the female catkin flowers make seeds and they break up and fall or blow in the wind to set root elsewhere in moist soil.

The leaves of a willow tree are long and thin.
The branches of the willow tree are long and pliable the bend and sway in the wind rarely breaking.
The willow likes a moist soil often growing by or where it floods.

If you are looking for a pussy willow for your garden do check the details of the species to find the most suitable one. While I was looking on line for small varieties I found that the site http://www.jprwillow.co.uk/willow-varieties.htm has a lot of willow trees and a fair description of their nature and height.

When you hear the name willow you will probably think weeping willow. A few of the willow s have a weeping habit and look lovely as their branches droop and weep over a pond or stream.
Another popular garden willow is the twisted willow its branches twisting and coiling looking very attractive. Twisted willow look fantastic grown as a bonsai tree.

The willow has many uses they are often grown as a cash crop. The branches pollard and the willow canes used to make furniture and baskets. Willow is also used to make wind breaks and trellises for the garden. I personally love willow baskets. Weaving willow canes is a craft that many people take up. Classes held in adult education centres. .
The willow cane is very pliable can be bent and woven fairly easily.

Willow is grown in osier beds for this purpose the trees coppiced.
There are osier beds I know in the Ouse washes. Where the land floods then dries out

The willow tree is a good wildlife tree. Many insects like the Camberwell beauty butterfly will feast on the nectar from the catkins lay its eggs on the willow and the caterpillar eat the leaves for food. Many moth species also use the willow as a nursery. Bees and other insects feed on the nectar too. Many birds they like to use the willow for shelter and eat the many insects that live on the tree


Bats like the insects in the willow tree you might find that bats will also roost in a large willow.
Talking about bats the cricket bat is made of willow wood.
Without the willow we would not have aspirin/ Aspirin acetylsalicylic acid.
The leaves and bark of willow is sometimes still chewed and they gave pain relief. In 1828 the active ingredient salicin was isolated and used for pain relief in 1860 a method of making acetylsalicylic acid by a commercial process this eventually developed into the drug we all know now as aspirin.

Now finish with a little romance The Chinese willow tree pattern is on 100s of plate's cups saucers bowls. This design is an English one 200 years old made to encourage people to buy crockery.
The design as if you did not know is blue and white. There is a pagoda a bridge a three people on the bridge and a willow tree, two birds in the sky.
The story behind this design is that. The maiden was in love with a boy who was not thought worthy by her father he had chosen another for her. The boy was imprisoned further down the river the tale goes love notes were sailed in paper boats along the river and the maiden caught them at the bridge. The love thwarted youngsters were killed and they are represented as the doves flying away together. If you wish to see this tale in full I found it at http://www.worldcollectorsnet.com/magazine/issue32 /iss32p5.html.
Sorry this has been a bit long but these are so much to tell about the willow. Time I went now to fill my loves willow pattern plate full of food thanks for reading Mary

Summary: About the willow tree