Living in a city, I do not have a big backyard, but I’m lucky to have a pussy willow tree in my backyard. We where happy to see there were buds on the branches as well on my birch tree. We picked some branches to force them to come to life.
We also made a fastelavensris (tree branches with colored feathers) it is a Scandinavian version of Mardi Gras celebrated the Sunday before Fat Tuesday. . Regardless of the reason, I think it is great reason to sprout some buds and celebrate that spring is just around the corner. It is the perfect way to get kids to start watching for the changing of the season.
Fastelavenris (Branches with feathers)
You need
Branches
Feathers
Pipe cleaners or steel wire
Head out and look for buds and pick a branch, traditionally it should be birch. Put different kinds of feathers on the branch; use pipe cleaners for young kids. If your child is older you can use florist wire for binding the feathers to the branch. Put the branches in water and watch it grow leaves.
For how to force pussy willows click here Pussy willows
