Science and botany

Activity 5         Learn to identify some willows

There are hundreds of willow species. These 101 activities use many different species and you might feel a little daunted about where to start. However, the majority of tasks can be performed with just a handful of willows. This activity looks at five species native or naturalised to Britain and five native to North America. 

Activity 12       Explain the birds and the bees using willows

By looking closely at male and female willow catkins you can gain an understanding of the reproductive biology of plants. Willows are dioecious which means that individual trees are either male or female. Pollination occurs when bees and other nectar seeking insects transfer pollen from a male catkin to a female catkin on another tree. This activity shows you how to identify and make a cross between male and female willow trees.

Activity 14       Watch a willow grow

Some species of willows are amazingly fast growing and can reach a height of over four metres in one year. During the height of the growing season they can grow several inches a day – you could almost watch them grow. Why not measure a willow during the growing season to see how fast it grows? A class of children could do this activity and measure themselves at the same time.

Activity 93       Go wildlife spotting

Willows are teaming with wildlife. In Britain there are 18 native willow species and these have a wider distribution than any other tree. Each of these species plays host to a large variety of insects and put together this makes willows the home to more species even than oak. Why not go and explore an old pollard willow by a river bank and see what you can see.