Did you know there are over 400 species of Willow, 7 of which are native to Scotland? The Latin name for willow is Salix, literally meaning ‘Near water’, as willow likes wet or boggy ground and is often found growing on riverbanks. One of the Ogham (Celtic alphabet) trees, willow represents ‘S’ or ‘Saille’. The Scottish Gaelic ‘Seileach’ is present in place names, such as Achnashellach (‘Field of the Willows’), An Linnhe Seileach (‘The willow pool’) and Gleann Seileach (‘The willow glen’).
Many types of willow produce catkins early on before even leaves. The catkins will then develop into flowers, making it an excellent early source of nectar for bees.
In need of a new wand? Willow is commonly associated with water and both are associated with the Moon. It’s best to harvest willow for use as a wand at a full moon for this reason. Did you know? The rod carried by the Lord of the Isles (currently Prince Charles) was also traditionally made from willow. Willow is also useful for water dowsing, although I can’t tell if that’s because it generally grows well near water anyway! Now is the time to plant Willow around the house as it can be used to repel evil spirits and it is also the origin of the phrase ‘Knock on Wood’, when it was ‘Knock on Willow’.
It can also be used in botanomancy, which is the burning of leaves to aid in divination. One druidic story tells that 2 scarlet snake eggs nestled into a willow tree hatched the sun and the earth. There are also various stories that if you tell a secret to a willow tree, she will keep it safe for you and other stories that say willow trees are awful gossips!
Willow has long been used for pain relief and to bring down fevers, both leaves and bark. It was later discovered that these parts of the plant are high in Salicin (also present in meadowsweet) which is an anti-inflammatory. Attempts to recreate this chemical synthetically of course lead to the creation of Aspirin (although willow is said to be less bitter, please don’t try this at home). Interestingly the first clinical trial using salicin to treat fever/ joint inflammation took place in Dundee!
If all this wasn’t enough for you, Willow is also great for the environment, as willow is a pioneer species (is one of the first to take root in a new area), quick growing from just a stick and their roots are great at holding soil together or even mitigating flooding. Willow wood is used as a fuel (ours is in the shed drying for next winter as we speak), being quick to grow when coppicing and clean burning, and very commonly used in crafting. Branches are long and easily bendable for things such as basket weaving and wreath making (great fun especially when you’ve foraged for your own decorations such as ivy, moss etc). They also have ability to absorb shocks which made them good for the spokes of chariots and can be used to make wicker used in furniture and has been used so by many including druids- although they probably didn’t make wicker men (only in horror movies).
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