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Goat Willow

LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
edited January 2022 in Plants
Anyone got one of these trees in their garden?

As part pf my plan to improve my garden for bees, I'm wanting a bare root goat willow tree. I know they can grow big but I plan to keep it coppiced to keep the height in check.

Would be nice to make it multi stem rather than having a single trunk, and to grow it more of a large bush. Is this realistic?
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Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Don't do it. There are much better trees.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    There are many more interesting and useful willows to grow.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We have 3 in our orchard and they are coppiced every 3 years.
    We also have crack willows that are also coppiced.
    We find both are ok trees to have in our area.
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
    edited January 2022
    I was thinking of having it in the lower part of my garden, just the other side of the obelisk on the right. Do you think its size would get out of hand?


  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Yes and it would seed everywhere - even in containers and flowerpots
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
    Maybe not the best choice then. Would like to put a bee friendly tree or bush there. Have considered an apple tree, and the neighbour has a Bramley apple tree just the other side of the fence to the right, so that could help pollination.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Hawthorn, elder, crab apple? They have the advantage of autumnal fruiting.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Goat willow is wind pollinated, so of no use to bees. ;)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited January 2022
    What about a Guelder rose (viburnum opulis) if you want a native that’s good for wildlife?
    https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/trees-and-shrubs/guelder-rose

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited January 2022
    BobTheGardener said:
    Goat willow is wind pollinated, so of no use to bees. ;)
    Sorry Bob but I beg to differ.

    I would never recommend willow in a small garden.

    But last year while walking near a Goat willow it was buzzing with bees.
    They definitely collect the pollen from the male catkins.

    Quote www....
    "Willows     (Salix spp.) bloom early in the year – February or March – and are very important and popular with the bees which can be seen thudding onto the landing board bearing very large loads of powder-yellow pollen. In an exceptionally warm spring the bees may even bring in a small crop of honey but this is very rare."

    Quote www...

    "The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees. ... The plant can tolerate maritime exposure."



    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
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