What's this?

[sandspider]

Hi all

 

Got a small tree growing in the back garden. Been there for 2 or 3 years now and is about 3m or so high. I thought it might be alder, but the leaves seem a bit too pointy. Or wild cherry perhaps? Any guesses? Thanks.

[Matthew Arnold]

Looks like Sallow/ Goat Willow. Salix caprea IMO

[sandspider]

Thanks. Did wonder about that, but I thought willow had hairy undersides to the leaves, and this doesn't...?

 

Whatever it is, something appears to be nibbling the leaves, leaving just the veins as a sort of skeleton.

[Eddy_t]

Salix caprea, as mentioned, goat willow, they are fairly quick growing and separated into male or female trees, you'll tell by the flowers in spring, nice tree, the flowers attract bees

 

 

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[nepia]

Thanks. Did wonder about that, but I thought willow had hairy undersides to the leaves, and this doesn't...?

 

Whatever it is, something appears to be nibbling the leaves, leaving just the veins as a sort of skeleton.

 

 

Almost every other species of moth caterpillar can live on that stuff; it's a favourite so don't be surprised to find it nibbled. For every leaf chewed the tree should be growing 10!

[sandspider]

Thank you, folks. Goat willow it is. I'll leave it where it is (in a flowerbed!) to feed caterpillars and bees until it gets big enough to be a problem.

 

Cheers.

[Eddy_t]

Thank you, folks. Goat willow it is. I'll leave it where it is (in a flowerbed!) to feed caterpillars and bees until it gets big enough to be a problem.

 

Cheers.

 

And once it's big enough to be a problem, you can butcher it back to 8', it'll grow like buggery again, it'll go hollow and birds will nest in it too!, just repeat the cycle, plenty of firewood

 

 

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