Willow Tree Leafing Out

Willow tree leafing out before others at a local park. March 30 2018

Psalm 41:1 "How blessed is he who considers the helpless;

The Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble."

Black Willow

A revisit of the willow tree I posted last August.

One of the things that is noticeable of willows is the bud lies flat against the twig. The leaves are long and narrow but you don't see that in the winter. What you do see is the thin twigs.

Leviticus 23:40 "Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days."

So now when I see Willows I will think of rejoicing before the Lord. Thank you Jesus for what You do for me. I trust in You.

Black Willow

Here is a Black Willow on top of the bank next to the Missouri river. It is leaning over the bank, which this tree seems to do a lot. It usually grows around bigger trees and has to lean to find the light. Willow can withstand flooding thus the propensity to grow in bottom land sites and thrive there.

The saplings of willow grow straight and are good for furniture making. That is brush furniture. The wood is light and would not stand up the use of normal furniture.

One of the reasons I am drawn to finding different types of trees is their ability to adapt to different types of conditions. Christians are not all the same. That may be why there are so many expressions of Christianity. We have different abilities and should not be discouraged if we don't measure up to others. Instead of trying to measure up to others serve God as you were made to do. 

We all have abilities if we will renounce the sin desires that are within us and turn to Christ and live for Him. Look to Jesus and not yourself and He will sustain you.

Psalm 55:22 "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."

Father, I look to you and Your Son and the Holy Spirit to guide me in my life and work. Thank You, let it happen.

Black Willow

One of the advantages of willow is for stream bank stabilization. The root system is dense and will hold the ground well.

Willow tea was used by the Greeks for stiff joints and rheumatic pain. In the 1800's it was also use to reduce fevers and as a pain killer.

Twigs can be split and used in basket weaving. The life span for this tree ranges from 40 to 100 years.

The use of Willows for stream bank stabilization points to our need for stability that comes from a purpose that we have in Jesus.

Isaiah 33:6 "And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the LORD is his treasure."

Father, I look for your guidance in life. When I am weak, You are strong. When I lack wisdom You give me Your guidence. Thank you. In Jesus name you are doing it.

Willows Along Lake Shore

In May we were came to this lake and remained there to enjoy the solitude and peacefulness of the area. 

Willows as a genus grow by the abundance of water. Water is the basis of all life. We thrive when there is abundance of God's word. With abundance there is no need. God promises to supply our needs. Willows speak to me of God supplying me with all I need.

Father, I thank you for all you show me and give me and supply my every need.

Leviticus 23:40 "And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days."

Flooded Black Willow

I decided to hike back into some woods today (31 Aug 2011)



A photo of the same area a year ago.

Here I am back at a Black willow stand of trees along the Missouri river. These trees have been in standing water for 3 months. There will be more of the same for a while.

One of the lessons I am learning from this is that we need to be able to withstand attacks against our ability to live in the spirit. Opposition will come, but will we stand in the midst of the opposition?

Each of us has the ability to withstand tests to our faith. They vary from person to person just as trees have different responses to attacks to their health.

Black willow can withstand flooding better than most trees. Prolonged flooding has been known to kill about 50% of the trees. It will be interesting to see how this stand of trees does to more than 3 months under water.

1 Corinthians 10:13
"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."

Sandbar Willow

These Sandbar willows were at the lake edge. They were able to live and thrive when the water level of the lake went down.


Sandbar willow has the narrowest  leaves of all the willows.

Black Willow

Black willow is the only willow (Salix nigra) that grows to more than scrub tree size in this part of the country.


Ezekiel 17:5
"He also took some of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil He placed it beside abundant waters; he set it like a willow."

Winter Weeping Willow

Sandbar Willow

Hiking in La Benite park I came across some Sandbar willow (Salix exigua). It is
characterized by long extremely narrow leaves.

Willow has a soft look to it because of the narrow leaves.

This reminds me of the gentleness of the Lord. It leads us to repentance.

Ephesians 4:2
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,