pussy willows

[thecfarm]

This is a sure sign of spring in Maine.



 

The whites buds are like a fussy blossom. These will turn kinda of a green color and the leafs will come out. I feel it kinda early,but what do I know about Mother Nature. These are just bushes that may get 12-14-16 feet high. The higher they are the harder it is to get the pussy willows. I mentioned on another thread that the wife was looking for them and saw some. When growing up every wet hole had them. These things are getting harder and harder to find. Now it seems like,if they are short bushes you need a boat to get to them,or if they are kinda on dry land the buds are 16 feet in the air. We use to have some on my land. My Father would cut some each year. These will dry and can be kept for years,if someone wants too. Ours would get thrown out in the summer and would be replaced every spring. Down memory lane.  ;D

In a vase,



 

[Autocar]

We also cut them in the spring we have one right out side the kitchen door and I noticed a few weeks back they were budding out.

[SwampDonkey]

Nice welcome part of spring.  ;D

However, did you notice this past fall that the willows started to flower before winter? There were some out in November here, but not quite advanced as the ones you have.

[thecfarm]

No I did not notice.

[sprucebunny]

I always liked pussy willows but haven't seen an actual plant since I was a little kid. I'd much rather have them growing in some wet spots than just alder.

[SwampDonkey]

There's a few million up here you can help yourself to. :D

[thecfarm]

Probably sprucebunny area is like mine. They are hard to find. They use to grow all over the place.
A story for you all. At work there was bunches of them. I was out side cutting them out by the road when a state cop stops and ask what I was doing.I think he thought I was doing something illegal. He must of been citified or from away,he had no idea what pussy willows was. He did not seem like a happy type of guy as I was telling him all about them. I was afraid that he was going to match me into work and have them verify my story. I would of never lived that one down if he would have.  :D

[SwampDonkey]

I let the moose help themselves to them. ;D Apparently the calves need them for early development.

[SPIKER]

Used to see them all time too, but seem to be gone now in my area of Ohio...

If memory serves those CUT ends when stuck in the vase of water will start sprouting roots & can be cultivate real easy with a bit of root tone and some water...

Mark

[Ianab]

If memory serves those CUT ends when stuck in the vase of water will start sprouting roots & can be cultivate real easy with a bit of root tone and some water...

Sounds like same type we have here. Didn't even need the water, just plant a few sticks like the ones in the first pic. Most of them will grow.

Ian

[SwampDonkey]

I wonder why they would be declining in your areas. They grow and spread like aspen trees up here. The ditches here are full of them since the government don't clean ditches for years.

[thecfarm]

I wonder the same thing in my area too. Maybe I need to take a ride towards Swampdonkey place. As I said my Father would get some for us and his Mother and a few of the widows that he knew. They was in the ditches as you say. But now they are hard to find. But still I don't remember having to drive all over the place just to find some. There was a bunch right on my road. Some I see a chainsaw needs to used so I can reach them.Then the next year they would be just right to reach.  ;D
I did not know they was in OH and did not even think of NZ.

[SwampDonkey]

Well if you have aspen trees down there, and you cut one in April, you'll have some more of those fuzzy flower buds just coming out.  You can tell the wife they was late bloomers. ;D If they aren't out just then, find the ones with big fat buds compared to the rest and stick'm in water. ;)