Old and Valuable" Whomping Willow - But Why?

[Cathy Drolet]

No: HPFGUIDX 109570

Brenda
"Apologies for lack of exact quotation, but when Snape is lecturing 
them about damaging the Whomping Willow, he describes it as "old and 
valuable".  Also Harry's description has it "ancient tree".

And why valuable?  Sure, it provides the entrance to Shrieking Shack, 
but is there more than meets the eye?  It rings a pair of odd bells, 
seeing how Snape describes it 'valuable'.  Severus Snape, of all 
people, who would love to squash it if possible, I bet."


DuffyPoo:

Snape says, "I noticed, in my search of the park, that considerable damage seems to have been done to a very valuable Whomping Willow."  No mention of old.  Lockhart calls them 'exotic plants' and claims to have 'met several' on his travels On a quick look-through I didn't see where Harry describes the tree as ancient, but I don't doubt it's there.

I thought Snape's valuable meant rare and that's how I've always thought of it.  I don't necessarily believe Lockhart when he says he's met several, as I'm quite sure he doesn't know how to get kelpies out of a well, either.  ;-)  Since it appears to be a 'magic' tree, I suppose it could grow at any rate or have an engorgement charm placed on it to speed the process along like Hagrid's pumpkins.  Maybe it just looks ancient.  Just my two cents on the matter.

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