Salix caprea aka Pussy Willow

Salix caprea, commonly known as goat willow, pussy willow, or great sallow, is a hardy and fast-growing deciduous tree native to Europe and western and central Asia. It is often shaped into a large rounded shrub and can reach a height of up to ten meters. The tree has oval-shaped leaves, unlike the long, thin leaves typically seen on other willow species. Its soft and silvery catkins, which develop into long, attractive flowers, are excellent pollinators for bees. The male variety of Salix caprea, also known as the European Pussy Willow, is particularly popular for ornamental purposes, adding interest to gardens in winter and early spring. Its woolly catkins emerge before winter, displaying a pretty pink-silver shade that turns yellow as they ripen, making them more eye-catching than the smaller green catkins found on female trees.