The old sallow (salix) standing in our summer garden is slowly ageing – and decaying. They seldom reach 100 years, but this one is even older. These trees are very important for the biodiversity, as almost 200 species of butterflies are dependent on it for feeding their larvae. And, so are many other insects too, like bees and bumblebees – in spring they can find food there during the first harsh months of the new year. Salix trees are also home for birds, mushrooms, lichen and mosses.
When we arrived in Spring 2019, our old man was still in one piece, standing in a pink field of sea thrift – but in autumn the same year, the middle part of him had fallen down.
This year we had to take down another of the oldest and longest arms from the trunk as it would not have made it through the winter.
But, as you can see, he is still standing there…overlooking the sea. And there is a new little one shooting up from the trunk of his old master. We hope he too will be a survivor when the old man is gone.
Leya 
Love the clicks
Thank you for the story behind
Feel sad for one trunk.
Then I also see the fungus…said to be bad for the trees.
What a majestic and beautiful tree you have. And that mushroom is spectacular even if it is attacking the tree. All part of nature’s cycle of life.
How wonderful that you still have this old tree which is more community than tree at this stage, as you say. I hope the young one will be able to survive. I haven’t seen one growing quite like this before. Is it alliums that are growing in the first picture?
A magnificent old willow – I love them.
We all owe you thanks for doing so much for the environment and for looking after this fabulous old tree. Quite a lovely story and I hope it has a happy ending.
You are lucky to have such a tree – and it is lucky to have you to take such good care of it in its old age 🙂
Hardy old chap! I didn’t know that about the butterflies. I hope you have lots of photos of the caterpillars and their transformations
A new little one!! ❤
He looks like a wonderful grand sire. You’re very lucky to have him
Definitely a survivor!
What a fabulous tree and a wonderful post, which is a fine memorial to it. So glad this tree has at least one offspring.
A magnificant tree and so sorry that he got infected by mushrooms.
Let’s hope the tree will still survive for some more years.
I’m hoping the old one will live long enough to see his young offspring flourish to a comparable size before taking over his place
That is a magnificent tree!!
What an absolutely beautiful post. Those trees are magnificent! Thanks for posting!
-Julie
The old tree will always be there methinks as the new one will tell us in the years tp come . . . just beautiful . . .
Thank you for sharing!
An uplifting and fabulous post about a tree standing the test of time. Thank you for looking after this grand old tree Ann-Christine 🙂 🙂