hawthorn leaf buds opening

I was out for a long drive today to pick up a bat and saw that Hawthorn everywhere is starting to leaf. My Cotoneaster horizontalis has a green hue where the leaves are ready to open.

Hawthorn coming into leaf here too, but the Cotoneaster isn't doing anything yet.

I was at a friends this afternoon and her Cotoneaster is further on than mine. lots of catkins on many species everywhere too

I think my Kilmarnock Willow is dying. No catkins. No buds. Nothing. It's been looking poorly since September.

I had one of those and it was taken over by sawfly larvae. They would raise their heads and do a dance whenever someone approached. Very interesting but.......

I think mine might have rust. It looks dead to me. I'll have to get someone to lift it out eventually. Can't afford anyone at the moment. No harm leaving it for a few months.