Salix alba L.
The white willow (Salix alba L.) is a tree in the family Salicaceae. It is a deciduous broadleaf tree growing to 10-25 metres tall, with simple, slender leaves covered in silky white hairs, in particular on the underside. The flowers appear early in the spring and are produced in catkins. White willow is a dioecious species, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate trees. The fruits are small capsules, each containing minute seeds encased in white down which aids dispersal by wind.
Native to Europe, western and central Asia, it is usually to be found in wet or poorly-drained soil at the edge of pools, lakes or rivers. The wood is tough, strong, and light in weight, but has minimal resistance to decay. Cricket bats are made predominantely using willow. The painkiller Aspirin is derived from a compound (salicin) found in the bark of all Salix species. In medieval times, in many parts of Europe, the bark was chewed to release the salicin for pain relief.
Please know your limitations and do NOT attempt to reach this cache if you are unsure of your climbing abilities but if you go for it do at your own risk. I take no responsilibility for any injury caused as a result of attempting this cache. This was placed in place without any climbing equipment but you may prefer to bring some to help/for safety.
This cache is classed as a T4 because it is harder to be reached than your average cache behind a street sign. Simply spotting the container from the ground is not enough to claim a find. As per Geocaching guidelines, you must sign the logsheet or your log will be deleted.