William Morris, Willow and the Red Cliff, c. 1853
All are native to the UK bar the Weeping willow (Salix babylonica, and its variants), introduced from China in the 18th C. Most prefer moist or boggy ground, and a wonderful Weeping willow grows gracefully on the opposite side of the canal, while there at least two other species of willow in the reserve.
Growing by the pond is a Corkscrew willow (Salix tortuosa, also referred to as Claw or Wiggerly), which is eye-catching in late autumn and winter as the yellow-orange, twisted branches become unmasked at leaf-fall.
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All these willows have long, lance-shaped leaves, slightly curly for the Corkscrew willow (unlike Goat willow, Salix caprea, the typical pussy willow, which has long, oval leaves). After the leaves unfurl in spring, catkins appear, long yellow male catkins and, on a separate tree, short green female ones, which will go on to produce fluffy seeds that get carried by the wind.
Our native willows include White willow, Salix alba, a large non-weeping willow often seen by the side of rivers and streams, the source of cricket bats, and the basket willows which were already being used for weaving 10,000 years ago.
Links to further information and images
Beds, Cambs and Northants Wildlife Trust - a key to lowland willows and osiers
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust - common osier
