Favourite trees No 1

I've decided to feature some of my favourite trees at the nature reserve. This goat willow, or sallow, looming out of the mist and gloom this morning is high up my list. It has graced the central chalk grassland area for all the 36 years I have been volunteer warden of the reserve, spreading and leaning a little more each year. Soon, one of the main limbs will collapse, but hopefully that will lead to new vertical shoots from the base. The extra photo shows the same tree in April, covered in pollen-coated 'pussy willow' (it is a male tree) and providing a little shade for our flock of sheep. I'm looking forward to seeing it like that again.