Willow, Goat
The Goat Willow, also known as the pussy willow, is a broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 10m, and may live for 300 years.
The bark is grey-brown and develops diamond-shaped fissures with age. Twigs are hairy at first but become smooth, and can appear red-yellow in sunlight.
This tree was planted in 1990 by The Post Office to mark their centenary.
Photo supplied by: Alan Payne
Common Name:
Goat Willow
Scentific Name:
Salix caprea
Tree No:
105
Location:
E16
Unlike most willows, the leaves are oval rather than long and thin. They are hairless above, but with a felty coating of fine grey hairs underneath, and have a pointed tip which bends to one side.
Best time to see it, in the early spring, when the pussy willow comes out, telling us spring is on the way.
Credit: This could be your image
Goat willow is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate trees. In early spring, the catkins develop – the male catkins grey, stout and oval, becoming yellow when ripe with pollen; the female catkins longer and green.
Credit: This could be your image
Once pollinated by wind, female catkins develop into woolly seeds. Most willows can also propagate themselves by lowering their branches to the ground, where they then develop roots.
Credit: This could be your image
The goat willow is a common species of willow native to the UK, Europe and western and central Asia.
It is found growing in woodland, hedgerows and scrub, and on damper, more open ground, such as near lakes, streams and canals.
Commonly known as the Pussy Willow, because its fluffy silver-grey male catkins resemble cats paws.
Goat willow foliage is eaten by the caterpillars of a number of moths. It is also the main food plant for the purple emperor butterfly. Catkins provide an important early source of pollen and nectar for bees and other insects, and birds use goat willow to forage for caterpillars and insects.
Goat willow timber is soft and yellow in colour. The tree does not grow big enough for its timber to be useful, and unlike most willows, its brittle twigs are not suitable for weaving. The wood burns well and makes a good fuel and charcoal.
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Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens,
43 Bocking End,
Braintree,
CM7 9AE.
Open 9:00 to 4:00pm – January, February.
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We provide, maintain and preserve these unique and beautiful gardens as a community green space.
