Tree Study 



769 



Observations i . How can you tell the 

 common willow tree from afar? In what 

 localities do these trees grow? What is 

 the general shape of the big willow ? How 

 high is the trunk, or bole? What sort of 

 bark has it? Are the main branches 

 large or small? Do they stand out at a 

 wide angle or lift up sharply? What 

 color are the terminal shoots, or spray ? 



2. Are the buds opposite or alternate 

 on the twigs? Is there a bud at exactly 

 the end of any twig ? How many bracts 

 are there covering the bud ? 



3. Which appear first, the leaves or 

 the blossoms ? Study the pussies on your 

 twigs and see if they are all alike. Is one 

 kind more soft and furry than the other? 

 Are they of different colors? 



4. Take one of the furry pussies. 

 Describe the little bract, which is like a 

 protecting hood at its base. What color 

 is the fur? After a few days, what color 

 is the pussy? Why does it change from 

 silver color to yellow? Pick one of the 

 catkins apart and see how the fur protects 

 the stamens. 



5. Take one of the pussies which is 

 not so furry. Can you see the little 

 pistils with the Y-shaped stigmas set in 

 it? Is each little pistil set at the base 

 of a little scale with fringed edges ? 



6. Since the pollen-bearing catkins 

 are on one tree and the seed-bearing cat- 

 kins are on the other, and since the seeds 

 cannot be developed without the pollen, 

 how is the pollen carried to the pistils? 

 For this answer, visit the willows when 

 the pussies are all in bloom and listen. 

 Tell what you hear. What insects do 

 you see working on the willow blossoms ? 

 What are they after ? 



7 . What sort of seed has the willow ? 

 How is it scattered ? Do you think the 



wind or water has most to do with planting willow seed ? 



Work for May or September 8. Describe willow foliage and leaves. 

 How can you tell willow foliage at a distance? 



9. What sort of roots has the willow? Why are the willows planted 

 along the banks of streams ? If you wished to plant some willow trees how 

 would you do it ? Would you plant seeds or twigs ? 



10. For what purposes is willow wood used ? How are the twigs used ? 

 Why are they specially fitted for this use? What is pollarding a tree? 

 What medicine do we get from willow bark ? 



Seeds of willow. 

 Photo by Verne Morton. 



