Black Willow

I have been reliably informed (by someone who was told by someone who seemed to be an expert and was leading a tour) that this tree on Peckham Rye is a lonely black willow, or Salix Nigra. It is a lonely tree (sometimes called an orphan), because there are no other black willows near it, and hence it cannot breed and make little ones. Also, I gather it would need damper ground for any seeds to grow and fruit and stuff than it currently has - the Peck no longer keeps this end of the Rye damp and boggy as it presumably once did.

It is still a marvellous and statuesque, mature tree. I recommend it heartily. (Can you do that with a tree?)

Those who are interested will find it on the path across the Rye from the bottom of Barry Road (by The Clock House pub) that leads up to the cafe.