Willow - Goat (Salix caprea)

Our range of Goat Willow bare root plants (Salix caprea)

We have Goat Willow bare root plants in several specifications and heights.  The 1+0 specification plants are seedlings (often called whips) which were grown from seed sown in the spring and are sold during the following November to April months ie they are 1 year old.  We have Goat Willow whips in several heights.

In addition, we have cell grown Goat Willow which are grown by one of the UK's best specialist growers and these can be planted all year round.

You can read more about the specifications we offer on the tab just below the pricing table to the right of this product description.

Goat Willow (Salix caprea) Summary

A small rounded pioneer tree (see our blog on pioneer trees) or large shrub is generally planted near water where it will suck up moisture effectively as well as tolerating standing in water and whilst moisture loving, it will also grow on dry soil.  It is very fast growing and can be coppiced to produce timber for fires or to make charcoal.  Unlike most willows the wood is not flexible enough to be woven.  It has deep spreading roots and does well on steep slopes.

The most appealing aspect of this lovely tree is the pussy willow catkins in spring, thick and padded like kitten’s paws (pussies), which appear before the leaves in early spring.

The name caprea means goat and it is thought it derives from it being used as goat fodder and indeed it can still be used for that purpose.

Soil and situation

Goat willow is a water loving tree/shrub and is ideal near ponds, streams or rivers, or in wetlands and bogs. Its other use is to hold the soil in place on steep embankments and it will grow well there even in dry soil.  It will grow in semi shade but prefers to grow in a sunny situation, and in any soil type other than very acidic or very alkaline.

Leaves, flowers and fruit

Normally willows have long slim leaves but the goat willow has oval dark green leaves with a grey felt underneath.  Male trees produce pinkish grey fat catkins up to 2” long which turn yellow when ripe with pollen very early in the spring and are an important early source of pollen for bees and other pollinating insects.  Female trees produce long green catkins.

Eventual height and growth rate

If left unpruned, goat willow would grow to about 8m in height but it is often coppiced to the ground every 5 years and it very quickly regrows with long straight stems and even larger catkins.

This section gives definitions on the specifications of plants that we sell.  We are specialists in field grown (or bare root) plants which are grown in two ways.  The majority are grown from seed, some are ready within one growing season (seedlings or 1+0's) and some species require two growing seasons (1u1's).  In addition to growing from seed we also grow from small plants or cuttings (transplants) which are much more widely spaced (taking more land, more irrigation water, fertilisers and labour).  There are only a handful of bare root wholesale nurseries in the UK and of those even fewer grow transplants but Ray Jenkins has many years' experience of transplanting so we grow these in large volumes.  Ray has written this blog about the benefits of bare root plants and how they are grown and another blog which gives further detail on bare root specifications.

The detailed specifications are shown below.  If you are in doubt about what specification to use please email us on enquiries@rjtreesandhedging.co.uk with a description of the project (and photos if appropriate) and we will advise you.

1+0 - field grown in one season from seed, known as a seedling (sometimes called a whip), generally a slender single stem plant.   These are the cheapest specification and are particularly suitable for planting where weed competition will be less intense, soil is shallow or on exposed windy sites.  Gives a high root to shoot ratio and minimal plant "check".

2+0 - a 2 year seedling, field grown from seed in the same seed bed in two growing seasons where the species cannot be grown to a saleable plant from seed in one season

1U1 - 2 year old plant called an undercut, field grown for two seasons in the same seed bed and undercut by machine (a sharp blade cutting the roots under the soil level) after the first year to develop the root structure. We do this with several species which take 2 years to develop (eg oak, beech, hornbeam)

1+1 - 2 year old plant (transplant) grown from seed in the first year and then transplanted into a different area of the field and spaced out for the second growing season - a robust plant with a larger and more robust root system than seedling or undercut plant which will enable it to better withstand drought and weed competition. Often the best choice and the staple norm for farm hedging and this specification is a requirement of the Countryside Stewardship Grant

1+2- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two growing seasons giving a tall, stocky, bushy plant

2+1- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further growing season, giving a strong bushy plant

3+1 - as above but field grown for a further growing season for more height and a very bushy plant

1+3- 4 year old, one year field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for three years, giving a very strong, bushy plant

2+2- 4 year old, two years field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two years - a very mature plant suited to certain species like beech and hornbeam where we can offer almost instant hedging

and some that are a bit different.....

P9 - a plant grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel in a 9cm pot (for holly which germinates poorly in the field)

Cell grown - a plant grown in small deep cells (like a small yogurt pot) and then lifted out of those for transportation. Commonly used in forestry and large hedging projects.  Very high quality plants with excellent success rate.  See our blog on the benefits of cell grown plants.

C+1 or C+2 - a 3 or 4 year old plant initally started as hardwood cuttings grown on for a year as cell grown plants and then lined out in fields to grow on for a further 1 or 2 years (a technique used for Cherry Laurel)

0/1 - a hardwood cutting, then field grown for one season (for example for white willow, black poplar and osier)