Willows and Deer Rubbings (Volunteer Canyon Background Information)

Most male species of deer (reindeer are the exception) grow and shed a pair of antlers each year. Antlers play an important function in attracting mates and fighting other males during the breeding season.

Antlers begin to grow in March/April and are shed in December/January. Antlers are among the fastest growing tissue in the animal kingdom - up to one inch per day depending on the age, genetics and quality of nutrition that an individual receives. Antlers (racks) regrow bigger each year until about the age of 7 years. As antlers grow they are covered with a tissue that, because of it’s texture and appearance, is called velvet. Velvet provides the growing antler tissue the blood (oxygen and nutrients) necessary to promote this rapid growth. (Photo from MGP Camera Trap at Griffin & Olive Hyde Trail junction)

Just before the mating season in late August/early September, the antlers complete their growth cycle and turn to solid bone. To assist in the removal of this velvet that is no longer needed, deer are known to seek out and rub their antlers against tree trunks and branches.

One of the most popular trees selected by deer for this antler rubbing is willow. Many species of willow contain salicin, a chemical similar to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). Salicin has pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that are believed to provide deer with some relief from the shedding process of the velvet on their antlers. (Photo from Willow Seep on Olive Hyde Trail)

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Once the mating season is over, the antlers are shed and the entire process begins again the following spring. Antlers are often hard to find in nature because animals, mostly rodents, consume them to acquire calcium and other nutrients.

The use of willow (by people) dates back thousands of years, to the time of Hippocrates (400 BC) when patients were advised to chew on the bark to reduce fever and inflammation. Willow back has been used throughout the centuries in China and Europe, and continues to be used today for treatment of pain. Native Americans chewed or boiled a tea from willow’s leaves or inner bark to relieve fever or other minor pain like toothaches, headaches, or arthritis. Some sources give the willow the nickname “toothache tree”.

Aside from medicine, Native Americans developed many applications for willow. These include material to make arrow shafts, paint brushes, fish traps, granary baskets, cradleboards, dream catchers, stick figures and portions of homes. Salicin is a natural insect repellent making willow a good choice for granary baskets.

On a side story/interesting fact : North American beavers have a gland (castor sacs) that release a substance called castoreum which is used to mark territory. Salicin is one of the primary substances found in castoreum. Accumulation of salicin in beavers is credited to willow in their diet. Castoreum is an approved FDA substance that is used in perfumes (leathery notes) and as a “natural flavoring” (vanilla substitute) in some food products. How castoreum is harvested is the next question …. ! (photo from article entitled, “Beaver butt used as 'natural flavoring' in your food”)

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