Fallen goat willow

A combination of waterlogged roots and high winds brought down an old and decaying goat willow (Salix caprea) on the edge of the Arboretum, near the oak with the chestnut paling fence. Last week, the Wednesday work party spent the morning cutting back the branches and using them to build wildlife sanctuaries.

The Friends cut up a fallen goat willow near the entrance to the Arboretum

The root plate, tipped on its side, was left alone to create its own habitat. The deep tap roots will have brought up to the surface soil and seeds that have not been exposed to air and light for decades; let’s wait and see what germinates.