Willow (Salix babylonica)

24 April 2017

This recognizable tree is often associated with our waterways and wetland gardens but actually originates in dry areas of Northern China. It is a very hardy deciduous tree which grows very quickly reaching 20–25m in height but has a relatively short lifespan of 40 to 75 years.

Weeping willow is recognisable by its long light green leaves (which are alternate and spirally arranged), on thin stems that hang like pendulous curtains to the ground. The small, narrow leaves appear in early spring so now is a great time to see them while other trees are only starting to bud.

The Alder Tree (Alnus glutinosa)

17 April 2017

The Common Alder is a native riverside tree in the UK and a particularly appropriate choice for our first ‘What’s Growing on the Greenway’ blog. Its branches grow upwards creating a conical shaped medium sized tree which sometimes has two or three main trunks. The twigs can be sticky to the touch which gives rise to the second part of its latin name, glutinosa, (which means sticky!)