Interesting question: why does the willow cry?

The wind sings a song,

Quietly Ivushko shakes.

So she was tired

At the pond to stand alone.

Scythe into the water lowered,

The branch bent low,

Quietly weeps in the morning.

From what? But why?

Someone pulled for pigtails?

Or little water to her?

Always so sad one

Our willow by the pond.

Many people ask themselves: "Why does the willow cry?" A short answer to this question is not easy. It is contained in ancient folk legends and scientific studies. What is the reason for the emergence of different versions of the explanation of this phenomenon?

Characteristics of moisture-loving willow

This unpretentious tree lives in many corners of our planet and has many varieties. Many call it a willow, a vine, a rustling tree, a vine. Usually the willow likes to grow in places where there is a lot of moisture: near the river, pond, lake. Also, willows have become a wonderful decoration of modern parks with water reservoirs. This tree is very easy to plant, you can just stick a broken branch into a moist soil, soon it will take root. The most important for the favorable conditions of the willow habitat is a sufficient amount of water, even in excess. This is the main reason why the willow is crying. It can grow even in a flooded state. In translation from the Latin language, willow means "near water".

Flowering willow in early spring. Her fluffy kidney-earrings are very honey-bearing, they are immediately rushed by toiler-bees. Flowering branches of willow symbolize the arrival of spring, the first sunny days. Also, willows are very fond of a lot of light. And how beautiful the tree looks with the graceful branches bent downwards, which resemble the long, loose locks of hair!

Little Willow Secret

Each plant has its own riddle. Everyone is wondering why the willow tree is crying . Early in the morning, sharp leaves of willow are covered with droplets of dew. Under the influence of the wind drops dropping playfully into the water, creating a picture that the plant is crying. What are the causes of these tears? There are many beliefs, legends and scientific explanations for this touching spectacle.

Why the Willow Cries: The Scientific Explanation

Few trees are able to excrete drops of moisture on the leaves. Such a process is called guttation. It arises from the fact that the roots absorb moisture much more than it can evaporate the crown. When there is guttation:

• Most often appear droplets at dawn, at night or before rain.
• This process is promoted by increased soil moisture.
• Young willows are more likely to evaporate moisture on the leaf surface, since they are still at the stage of growth, and the whole system is not yet balanced.
• Guttia is also susceptible to many cereal and herbaceous plants.
• If excess moisture is not removed, then mineral substances will not enter the crown.

This is the interpretation of biologists why a weeping willow is crying.

Folk beliefs associated with willow

1. Our ancestors considered willow a very strong guardian. She was sanctified, and she protected the families from adversity. This required a lot of strength, so she cried.
2. The consecrated branches of pussy-willow could not be trampled on, it was better to burn them. Many believed that the offense and pain the tree can cry.
3. There was a belief that the willow branches are able to stop the bad weather with a strong hail. In this case, the branches were thrown in the yard, and the hail ceased. Willow after that began to cry.
4. Of particular importance is the tree for the celebration of Palm Sunday. It is celebrated a week before Easter. All Orthodox believers visit temples and consecrate willow branches. Previously, these rods still clung to each other, freeing from accumulated sins. Yves only had to cry.
5. Special veneration was enjoyed by the willow at the celebration of Ivan Kupala. Her girls dressed as field flowers, wreaths, ribbons. From the branches of the pussy-willow, the moraine was made, which was then thrown in the middle of the reservoir alone. Willow also cried over her fate.

Romantic legends

There are many ancient legends about why the willow is crying. Some of them should be stopped:

1. Once upon a time, a willow pulled its branches to the sky. The wind rustled playfully through the leaves, and the birds flocked to this noise and wove their nests there. Under one of these willows there was a loving couple: a young hunter and a beautiful girl. These meetings lasted until the guy sent the matchmakers to the girl. But, in trouble, a young beauty fell in love with a local bandit, who decided to kill his rival. He watched the hunter and struck him with a fatal blow. The girl hid herself with the dying groom under the willow and wept bitterly until she turned into a willow. She cried so long that a lake formed from her tears. Since then, and the willows weep over the ponds.
2. And here is another beautiful ancient story about why the willow is crying. Many years ago there was unbearable heat, the sun drank heavily the earth, the water bodies became ever smaller and smaller. Along the shore of one small lake grew curly willows, which, in search of moisture, took their roots very deep into the earth. The water in the lake was decreasing and decreasing day by day. Then the willows decided to tilt their branches to the water itself, to protect it from the scorching sun. So they protected the lake from evaporation. After a while, God sent a long-awaited rain to earth. Over the long willow branches, the drops fell into the lake, and soon it was filled with water again. So the willows became the savior of their lake. Therefore, it is considered a good sign if the water grows these trees, crying in the morning.

Important about the willow

The willow tree grows very quickly, but the life span is small - 60-70 years. Great benefit is brought by the willow for the birds: they nest on it and feed on the kidneys in the spring. Green branches of willow are loved by many animals: sheep, goats. People use willow for medicinal purposes. From it, decoctions and infusions are prepared for the treatment of wounds and other ailments.