Beginner needs Tree ID!

[gthang]

A tree in our yard has just started to bud, and knowing the type of tree it is will help me use the yard to attract birds.

The branch is a medium brown, and the buds are fluffy and white. It reminds me of cotton, but I know it's not cotton.

Living in New York, we have 4 different types of terrain in this section of land area: Urban, Mountain, Wetlands, and Grasslands... We have a Weeping Willow tree on the property as well. Also a few junipers, mountain laurel (both of which were planted by landscapers). Since I'm clueless about trees (I think they all look the same...), I need an expert opinion of this tree.

[Dave B Smith]

Pussy Willow. See this Link (http://www.iarelative.com/auction/willow.jpg)

[gthang]

what is it with me and pussy????? First, naked birds, then cats, and now trees!!!!

[steve_nova]

Dave is right to say that this is a Willow (Salix) but as to the exact species, it is more than likely to be the American Pussy Willow Salix discolor rather than the Eurasian species Salix caprea. Yours is native to the eastern side of North America (including eatern Canada) which puts you right in its range I would have thought?

[pauco]

gthang PM Michael Frankis, he is the forums tree expert.

[Michael Frankis]

Agreed with Salix, though I wouldn't rule out European Salix caprea, as it is commonly planted in North America and also naturalised in some areas of the US.

And since just about all willows hybridise easily, it could also be a hybrid willow . . . they're a real nightmare even for botanists to sort out!

Steve, I think probably not S. discolor, as that has glabrous (smooth, not scurfy) shoots, only downy on the fresh new growth - Gthang's shoot is still fairly densely scurfy at 11 months old, which is a good S. caprea character

Michael

[steve_nova]

Thats fair enough.

[gthang]

HUH!?!?!?

Trees are more confusing than Latin!

[gthang]

each bud is roughly 1.25 cm long (from where the bud meets the twig to the tip of the down).

If only I could get better pictures...