After the storm- there’s always hope.
From my garden gate I can see this willow. The tree had five massive branches, all toppled by high winds last year. Now there’s new shoots from the fallen branches. Willows were seen as trees of celebration in Biblical times. At church,when I was little, I remember willow branches being used instead of palms to celebrate Palm Sunday.
Willows are often associated with sadness and mourning. As a young teenager I read Shakespeare’s Hamlet at school and can vividly recall the scene where Ophelia drowns beside a willow tree. A sad and lonely vision that stayed with me for some time. I was always too inclined to dwell on injustice and wrongs. But then, at that time, I still thought I had the power to change the world. On my bedroom wall I had a poster of the famous 1850s Ophelia by Millais.
Instead of sadness, I associate willows with catkins and the first signs of spring. Today is the Meteorological first day of spring. But in the Old Farmer’s Almanac spring doesn’t start until March 20th. I will be cutting back our willows today to make plant supports and arches. And the grey catkins will be a happy addition to my flower arrangements.
Bramble Garden 
I see tree stumps and logs scattered over the nearby Hampstead Heath after storms. They’re generally left to rot and almost become architectural or like an art feature because they’re still very beautiful, even in decay. Your willow is a beautiful sight; for me, it would signify nature’s resilience and I love the natural arch that frames the view of the fields beyond. Definitely a much more interesting structure than in its previous form!
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So true, and I spotted a woodpecker on the trunk today, which made me very happy indeed. Thanks for taking the time to read
and comment, it’s always appreciated. Have a great weekend. x
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Hi Karen, the tree does look in a very sad state but as you say it will come back, probably stronger than ever. Is it a salix with very coloured stems?
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Yes, it’s got gorgeous orange new stems. Lovely with the light shining through. It will regenerate in no time. It’s just been part of my skyline for nearly 30 years. And we don’t like change much,do we. Although we are always going to see changes in the landscape.
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They do – and the coloured new growth is a brilliant orange/red. I used some last year to make an arch and it grew. Had to take it out otherwise I’d soon have had a tree in the middle of my veg plot. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. It’s much appreciated. Karen
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Willows have historically been pollarded and will quickly regrow with beautiful coloured young growth. Many years ago I used a willow stake to repair the fence in a chicken run it soon became a tree!
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I’ve always loved willows – they bend with the wind!
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I was in hospital a lot last year and luckily my first floor bedroom window was just level with the top of a willow tree. It made such a difference to see the leaves swishing about in the wind. Lying in my bed, I could see the sunrise through them, and watch the sunset colours. I thanked the person who planted that tree- every day!
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What a gift. They’ve done studies and those patients who have a view of the outside world heal faster. What luck you got a window!
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Yes, it will be a different view altogether as the new shoots grow. Is this tree on your boundary, Karen? I like the idea of using willow branches on Palm Sunday 😉
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It’s on the lane outside my house. It was a real beauty and a skyline I’ve recognised and enjoyed for 27 years. Still, I noticed today that I can now see a line of trees in the field behind. And there will soon be cows in the fields looking through the hedge at me whilst I work. Two tiny lambs were born today. I did feel sorry for them being born in the cold. x
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It’s good to be able to see the countryside from your plot – you can hear the sheep ( or sometines cows) from ours sometimes, but can’t see them. Must look out for lambs
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Happy Spring! It’s a shame about the tree but it does make a stunning snag. And a wonderful picture, I should add!
I’m glad the willow shoots will be put to good use.
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Thank you Susan. It’s been a lovely sunny day in the garden.
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Yes, it certainly changed my skyline view. Still, it looks like it is sprouting now. If the branches fall it will root back into the ground again. Fingers crossed. Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a lovely day Mike. x
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It’s always sad see such wonderful trees toppled like that. xx
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Amazing how they are able to regenerate from the base like that though. The new shoots are bright orange. All the best Mike x
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I keep meaning to change my name from “on” to “off” but it is me, but I expect you knew that. Done now. x
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It sounds perfectly reasonable to be both 🙂 x
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I also mourned for poor Ophelia and thought how beautiful she looked in that painting, which was obviously drawn from life! Happy New Spring to you, may it be full of catkins x
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Happy New Spring to you Gill. Life’s pretty full of catkins today :)) x
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