The Willow tree

                         Wonderful willows

Willow trees are one of the most iconic trees, and there are around 300 (if not more) species worldwide. White willow (Salix alba), Basket willow (Salix viminalis), Goat willow (Salix caprea), and Grey willow (Salic cinerea), are all native to the UK.                                                                         Identifying a willow tree is a fairly simple task, they are well known for their spear-shaped leaves in many of their species range. 

The weeping willow (willows in the Salix genus) is arguably the most famous of the willows. The name 'weeping willow' came due to how the rain falls down their hanging leaves. Another characteristic of the willow tree is small diamond shapes on the newer branches, which are there to aid in gas exchange. New branches will be very flexible too and you will be able to bend without snapping the branch. The diamond shapes will enlarge and create criss-cross ridges on the bark as the tree ages.

There are many folklore stories related to the willow tree. In ancient Celtic folklore, the grey willow (Salic Cinerea) is known as the 'Tree of Enchantment'. The tree is said to be bestowed with the power to grant wishes. For your wish to be granted, the lore suggests you ask the tree permission of your desire and then tie a loose knot in a young shoot. When your wish is fulfilled you then return and untie the shoot. If you are going through a breakup, the willow tree is also said to heal heartbreak or ease bereavement by meditating underneath the tree.

There are however some less pleasant stories related to the willow tree; one myth states that when a willow tree grows big enough to cast a grave-sized shadow, someone shall pass... a little morbid. Thankfully the tree has the ability to ease the pain afterwards according to the last suggestion...

Willow tree bark in medicine stretches back at least 3500 years ago. Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic, is derived and created from a substance (salicin) that is found in the bark of the willow tree and the leaves. The bark and leaves also contain salicylic acid, something that has been used for pain relief since around 1954 BC. Aspirin is now one of, if not the most, commonly used drugs in the world; it also plays a role in preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.