young catkins on felt-leaf willow (Salix alaxensis) and diamond-leaf willow (S. pulchra), our local “pussy willows.” Along with the arrival of migrant songbirds, the pussy willows announce ...

Female willow catkins are smaller, greener and spikey and are not at all as impressive as the pussy willows. The Goat Willow is the first of the willows to flower and has the largest, stoutest ...