JUST think how we’d miss it – the ‘thwack’ of a leather ball on a willow cricket bat – or the peaceful sight of willow-lined rivers, their leaves trailing gracefully in the slowly moving water.

We may be in mid-winter now, but willow is so versatile that it is a brilliant winter interest tree too.

Many gardeners already value the qualities of a wide range of willow species, some of which are very compact and can bring delight to the smallest garden.

Just think of the fabulous corkscrew stems of the Salix matsudana ‘tortuosa’. Or the wonderful, brightly coloured branches of Salix alba ‘Britzensis’.

There is also the beauty of the catkins (also known as ‘pussy willow’). Charming to look at and delightful to touch, these are a true harbinger of spring.

The most colourful stems are always the young shoots, so if this is your priority, you must cut shoots back vigorously to a little above ground level each spring. This way the tree is kept as a shrub and you are guaranteed a fabulous display in the coming autumn and winter.

The coral bark willow (Salix alba ‘Britenzis’) is an excellent choice for this approach, as is Salix alba x fragilis.

Many willows that you buy in garden centres are grafted onto rootstocks of specific heights – for example Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’ or ‘Kilmarnock’. Both of these are widely available and ideal for smaller spaces.

Willows are tough. They thrive on wet, heavy soils and need little attention apart from the pruning described above.

Salix caprea is one of the more widespread willows. It is known as the ‘goat willow’ because historically it was an important food source for goats. The buds (pussy willow) are very attractive, covered with a silvery thick coat.

Willow bark was used in the past as an effective remedy for rheumatism and gout.

The bark contains traces of salicin which is the main ingredient of asprin and apparently simply chewing a piece of bark can relieve pain.

Once pollarded, willows should be pruned back regularly, otherwise the branches can grow too heavy and split the tree apart under their weight.