If its an old Salix caprea (goat willow) it should be fifty feet in height - is your mum's tree that tall?

I don't think it's that big. It's about as high as her standard two floor house with pointed roof. Sorry, I can't judge measurements.

That's tall enough, I'd have thought - hope it's not too close to the house, not something which should be in a small suburban garden, has invasive roots. Photograph would help with a close up of leaves, etc., plus one from further away. should have had catkins as flowers, which have now turned to seed.

It's on the border of her garden, just inside a tall dividing hedge. She has a half an acre square with the house in the middle so I don't think it will be a problem.
Should we look out for self-seeded shoots? We were told they will be knee high in a few months! Has this been a good year for the tree as it hasn't caused a problem before?
I'll try for a photo but won't be going there for a few days.

Well they might grow and they might not - depends on the conditions, really, but they can be removed at the seedling stage very easily anyway.

Many thanks Bamboo, seems we don't need to panic! We'll just keep an eye out for 'strangers' as always.

it could be a black poplar they send their seed out now. looks like foam/snow/suds froma distance.

It sure does look like snow and the garden looks as if it's been snowed on!
Thanks, I'll have to try to get a picture on here. I have a digital camera but I'm not very pc literate.