To be Cotonoeaster or not to be Cotoneaster

[idg]

A couple of years ago I saved some cotoneaster seeds from a tree in my local arboretum. I set the seeds and they grew. The original tree is more of a tree than many short stubby cotoneasters you find so I was quite pleased. It also has a bright red berry (source of seeds)
I have noticed the new tree is starting to bud, but surprisingly there are what look like pussy willow buds. This leads me to think that the tree I have been nurturing for 2 years may not be what I was expecting. The new tree has lost all its leaves over the winter.
Can anyone confirm or otherwise that this is a cotoneaster?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Looks like a willow to me

 

[Swarm]

Willow.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Looks like a willow to me

bet you there was a sray willow seed in the compost, seen it happening a lot the last few years

 

[Newbeeneil]

Yep... willow for sure!
My Cotonoeaster is full of leaf and berrys at the moment

 

[Finman]

It is a girl willow. It will not make pollen.

Willow is too big tree to keep in the garden. Open space is more valuable.

IF WANTED

 

[enrico]

APRIL FOOL BY Any CHANCE!

 

[Finman]

APRIL FOOL BY Any CHANCE!

The beekeeper or the willow?

 

[idg]

Thanks all. I think your answers are fairly conclusive. I will try and get more berries in the autumn and try again.

 

[Ian123]

Thanks all. I think your answers are fairly conclusive. I will try and get more berries in the autumn and try again.

Should be a few seedlings around big bushes.

 

[Curly green finger's]

It is a girl willow. It will not make pollen.

Willow is too big tree to keep in the garden. Open space is more valuable.

IF WANTED
View attachment 31206

Aye the flower does look female.
A female sallow?

 

[Jadan]

You could always cut the willow back to a stump when it’s a bit bigger and keep it as a withy for the canes - always useful, decorative, and will maximise the flower for the bees!

 

[holmbee]

Nearly always some cotoneaster seedlings around where there are mature bushes. Probably a better bet than trying to grow your own from seed.

 

[enrico]

I can probably find a few of you want some!

 

[madasafish]

Willow.
One of our two with a 4 meter high trunk nearly 1metre in diameter fell in winter storms. Cuttings taken.
Cotoneaster is far slower to flower.. more like late May