Catkins

We went out for phenology on the last friday in March! What a beautiful day out, almost felt like summer :-) I was surprised to already find leaves forming on my willow and some furry, long things called catkins. Catkins are commonly found on trees which are wind pollinated such as oak, birch, hickory, and willow. A catkin is basically a long, bunch of flowers without petals. Most catkins form prior to the leaves; the catkins on my willow look completely formed, where the few leaves found are only a couple centimeters long. The flowers will form into seeds by the end of the growing season. If a seed(s) is to fall from the catkin, and survives, the growing process of a new tree begins.

Catkins from my peach leaved willow near the creek in Pioneer Park
 

Catkins dangling from the willow tree

A pair of mallards in my site