A very abundant tree that draws attention in early spring, when the fluffy 'pussies' on male trees set the crown humming with insects. For the rest of the year it goes largely unnoticed until autumn, when its leaves cling on longer than most deciduous trees. Often fondly called Pussy Willow.

Native across the whole of north-west Europe and east through Russia and China. It is among the most widely distributed trees in Britain and Ireland, absent only from the far north-east of Scotland and a very few Irish locations.

Dioecious and a pioneer, mostly insect-pollinated. Male trees produce fluffy yellow-tipped catkins; the larger green female catkins appear a little later, soon releasing small fluffy wind-dispersed seeds. It naturally hybridises with Grey Willow, which can complicate identification.

The willow most likely seen away from water. Medium (20m), domed, often leaning or multi-stemmed from cutting, with ascending branches. Bark with diamond ridges. Shoots stocky, grey, with rounded yellow-brown buds protruding outwards. Leaves oval, matt and wrinkled above with a felty underside, undulating-serrate, with a twisted tip. Male pussies 2-3cm before leaves; female catkins greener, later. Grey Willow differs: more elongated, less felted leaves.

Rarely planted but very good at spreading naturally by seed or layering, though it suckers less than many willows. Seeds stay viable only days, needing bare, moist ground. It grows on all but the driest sites, including sand and chalk, thrives in full sun, is easily grown from cuttings, and sprouts vigorously when coppiced or cut.

Male trees draw huge numbers of bumblebees and hoverflies in spring, making them 'hum', their pollen and nectar vital when little else is available. Leaves are a main food plant for the night-feeding Purple Emperor butterfly (Apatura iris) and over 100 moth species, including Puss Moth (Cerura vinula), Sallow Kitten (Furcula furcula) and Lunar Hornet Clearwing (Sesia bembeciformis).

The fungal pathogen Melampsora caprearum causes gall growth. Like other willow species, it is susceptible to watermark disease caused by the bacteria Brenneria salicis.

Its twigs are quite brittle, so it is used for coarse weaving such as wattle fences rather than fine baskets. It features in ecological restoration and erosion control, and its timber makes excellent charcoal, including fine artists' drawing charcoal. Its foliage was traditionally cut for livestock fodder, hence its common name.