Habitat and identification

The Weeping Willow is a species of tree that is introduced to the UK, and is part of the Salicaceae family, the tree Is deciduous and often prized for its vibrant pigmentation or striking canopy shape. This iconic dome shaped canopy is caused by the willow branches sagging as they grow, leading to the iconic canopy. The willow produces both leaves and flowers with both being a similar shade of yellow-green in the spring, they will then darken over the course of the summer, to a pale green in time for winter, the flowers of the weeping willow grow in a catkin, a small cluster of very small individual flowers that are very well adapted for wind or water based dispersal, due to their light weight, these catkins also contain the sex organs of the plant, with male and female organs growing on separate catkins, catkin shape can vary from tree to tree, but most grow long and slender, the weeping willow can grow in most conditions and soils however it has been noted to grow particularly well when planted next to water, this is also beneficial for the habitat as the sprawling roots of the willow tree can help to stabilise the river banks and prevent erosion, however this sprawling root network can also cause problems if the willow is planted to close to buildings or foundations, as it can cause undermining and structural issues. Being an introduced species the willow is often planted as an ornamental decoration, after it was introduced to the UK in the 18^th century, with some reports stating it may have been introduced earlier in the 17^th century, since then it has become a staple of British waterways and stately home gardens.

Medicinal use and folklore

The weeping willow has found many a use in old medicinal treatments as the bark of the weeping willow and most other willows can be used for natural pain relief and their anti-inflammatory properties, this is due to high levels of salicin that is converted into salicylic acid in the body. Furthermore, willow has seen similar use to calm fevers as willow bark can be used to induce sweating. The weeping willow also has rich roots in Asian, Celtic and native American folklore, often being seen as a ward against evil spirits or bad luck, with ancient Chinese tales of people hanging boughs of the willow tree above their doors to prevent evil spirits from entering, in Celtic folklore willow trees were said to be keepers of secrets, with the common belief that if you told a secret to a willow it would remain forever trapped in the bark. Furthermore, the phrase “knock on wood” may have originated from Celtic folklore surrounding the willow tree, with the belief that knocking on a willow tree would send away back luck. Finally, the Native Americans were documented tying willow branches to their boats and houses to protect from bad weather or luck