Root and Branch is the RTÉ lyric fm podcast all about our native trees presented by Brían Mac Gloinn and Anja Murray. This fourth episode in the series look at Willow!
Willow was the material which baskets were made from, so for this 4th episode of Root & Branch, Brían and Anja interview celebrated basket maker Joe Hogan, about the history and culture of basket making in Ireland.
Brían sings a traditional song about weeping Willow and performs a song he has written to reflect the folklore of willow. Anja discovers the importance of willow catkins as an early source of pollen to bees when few flowers are in blossom and talks to Jane Stout, a specialist in plant animal interactions in the botany department of Trinity College Dublin.
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From our friends at the tree council of Ireland
WILLOW/ Saileach/ Salix spp.
There are several varieties of willow native to Ireland. All grow in damp soil, have catkins or 'pussy willows' that produce seeds, but are most easily grown from cuttings, which root very readily.
The most widespread willow species are the goat willow, the rusty or grey willow (both known as ‘sallies’), and the eared willow. While these generally grow on damp ground, the goat willow will also colonise rough and disturbed ground in drier areas.
The bay leaved willow, with glossy green leaves, is found beside small rivers and ditches. Osiers, with long fine leaves, do not develop into large trees. They were often grown and managed by cutting right back to the base to encourage long flexible shoots used for baskets. Now this species may be grown for biomass and provide a renewable energy source.
All willows are rich in insects and so provide a good food source for insect eating birds in summer, notably for the willow warbler.
Root and Branch
Presenters: Anja Murray and Brían Mac Gloinn
Produced by: Anja Murray
Original score and songs by Brían Mac Gloinn
Sound Design & Editing: Brían Mac Gloinn
Producer for RTÉ lyric fm: Eoin O Kelly
Production Co-ordinator: Peter Curtin
Root and Branch is broadcast on the Lyric Feature on Sundays at 6pm on RTÉ lyric fm.
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And click here to read more about the earlier shows!
