Pussy willows (Salix scouleriana) - a sign of spring in Interior Alaska.
Observation by Wilson Justin:
I was out for about 2 hours yesterday on the trails above the Chistochina River. A lot of moose sign, and lots of moose feed, which are willows that come up as new growth along the river systems comes spring time. These same willows were beginning to bud yesterday in the sunshine. The temperature was 37 degrees at 2 PM. The cottonwood stands which share the river banks were in the first stages of budding but never do react as quickly as willows. Willows and moose go together like ham and cheese. Willows were relatively scarce when I was a kid, as we're moose. This is yet the earliest I've seen willows budding, I suspect the temperature will stay cool and keep the budding to just that...But willow buds in Chistochina in February? You might as well quit calling winter, winter! It's just a cold fall...
Comments from LEO Editors:
Pussy willows (Salix scouleriana) are a visible indicator of the coming of spring, or perhaps just warmer weather, and LEO Network members have posted observations about early blooms in recent years. Ben Balivet posted an observation on January 24, 2014 about pussy willows in Bethel, and Mike Brubaker posted an observation about pussy willow in Anchorage on March 21, 2015.
There are several species of willow in Alaska. A document provided by a cooperative release by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Agriculture Alaska Plant Materials Center and U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service gives a description of the plant's attributes and potential uses along with their natural range in Alaska. Additional information could be found on the Alaska Department of Fish & Game website, Streambank Revegetation and Protection: A Guide for Alaska | Plant Species Selection Lists - Shrubs and Trees Suited for Dormant Cuttings.
According to the US National Phenology Network: Phenology is a term used to describe key seasonal changes in plants and animals from year to year—such as flowering, emergence of insects and migration of birds—especially their timing and relationship with weather and climate.LEO Network has shared this observation with the USA Phenology Network for their records. According to National Phenology Network, Education Coordinator, LoriAnne Barnett, a good resource, where observers can create their own phenology notebook and tracking sites, is Nature's Notebook. M. Brubaker
A nice reference is Willows of Southcentral Alaska by Dominique Collet
Observations From Members