Joyful Weeper

Hints of Gladness from a Golden Willow.

My digital tree identifiers could not agree about this exuberant tree basking in the afternoon sun. One said hazelnut, another identified it as a Peking lilac, another said eastern leatherwood, but I’m going with golden willow, salix alba ‘Vitellina' - partly because it agrees with my most reliable source and partly because I kind of remember this tree from the summer. 

The golden willow has more of a ‘spreading habit’ than a ‘weeping habit’ and this beauty is certainly spreading out to take advantage of the sunshine on this cold December day.

"When I am among the trees Especially the willows and the honey locust Especially the beech, the oaks and the pines, They give off such hints of gladness, I would say that they almost save me, and daily."

Mary Oliver

One thing all sources agreed on is that the golden willow is a gorgeous accent tree for winter because of the tawny bark coloration that deepens to vibrant yellow after the leaves fall. Another thing they agree on is that it’s considered messy for yard planting because the branches shed easily during the season. With such radiant gladness in the winter, who could care about a little twig drop?

I’ll let you know in the spring if I got this right.