Why Buy Our Volume Trees?
- Our volume trees are plug plants which can be planted all year round. No rush to plant as roots are not exposed.
- Grown in Scotland which makes the plants much hardier (used to bad weather)
- Very easy to plant, little cultivation required and very high success rate.
- Our trees are covered by a FREE TREE WARRANTY. (first 15% not covered)
- Plants do not "check" when planted so rapid early growth.
- Root plug contains both naturally occurring mycorrhizae and fertilzer.
- Growing containers eliminate root spiralling.
- FREE DELIVERY (UK Mainland only)
Large Order Discount
Orders over £1000 may have further discounts added by contacting us or calling 0800 043 1057
Appearing in a wide variety of locations in Britain, the Goat Willow or Sallow (Salix caprea) is a well-known native, British tree. Old pictures of this tree show it apparently being devoured by goats, hence its name. This tree is largely distinguished by its large, yellow male catkins in spring, and in particular, its female catkins, which are a beautiful silver colour and charmingly, known as Pussy Willows. A smallish tree, expect a final height of 18m (60ft).
Due to the age of our Goat Willow plug plants, we cannot tell the sex of the tree which apparently is important to know for some Bee Keepers. As the seeds are collected at random you should expect a 50:50 mix but of course them term random means you can get very different numbers.
In an effort to sell more Goat Willow trees to Bee Keepers, I would say that we live in a very accepting, sexually ambiguous age now and if a male Bee visits a male Goat Willow tree then neither you or your Bees will be judged for it. To go one step further, maybe paint some of your Bees in rainbow colours and tell them to follow their heart?
Woodland Design Principles
Typically, Goat Willow or Pussy Willow is planted in groups of between 10 and 25 trees. This number of trees is ideal for creating a wildlife habitat and a meaningful source of food and shelter. Spacing may vary between 1m (3ft 4in) and 5m (16ft 8in). Blending of one species into another is suggested although bearing in mind different growth rates. The aim is to mimic what nature intended and thus avoid artificial lines. This tree is with other native willow varieties and othe native, British trees an important ingredient (species component) in the creation of new native woodland.
Rabbit and Deer Protection
We offer a range of tree shelters that will protect your trees against possible attack. Click on this Tree Protection Link and it will take you to all of these products.
Benefits of using our plug plant trees
Our trees are sold as plug plants, in other words the roots are encased in compost. This means that planting can be carried out at any time of the year, provided they are watered in periods of drought, compared to bare-root plants which can only be planted during the plants normal dormant period (November to March). All of these trees are UK grown, which is important for successful establishment.
What Our Customers Are Saying About Our Goat Willow or Sallow (Salix caprea)
Hi Alan, (Sitka Spruce) trees arrived in excellent condition and are all now in the ground and looking happy so far - keeping my fingers crossed that they will cope with the wind in Caithness ! Thanks for a great service, I will definitely be back to order more trees in the future. Thanks again.Kevin. 1212
Goat Willow trees arrived in good condition and are thriving. Sorry for late reply, your e-mail went to spam. JM hendry 1013
Goat willow trees recieved in top condition thanks. g tucker 0812
Delivery
Due to courier unpredictability, we advise having your trees delivered AT LEAST 3 days before you actually need them.
Returning Cell Grown Trees
For Phytosanitary reasons, cell grown trees cannot be returned to the nursery.
Delaying Planting Cell Grown Trees
If you cannot plant straight away, take the trees out of the packaging and stand upright next to each other in a sheltered location outside. November to March, no need to water unless they start to dry out and these would be ok for up to 6 weeks. During Spring and Summer, you can do this for up to 3 weeks.
Site Conditions And Evergreen Tree List
Our tree chart details which site conditions suit which trees and also which are evergreen or semi-evergreen.
Feeding Or Fertilizing Hedges
This is a task that can easily be over done. Any nitrogen based fertilizer will do such as 20:20:10 but the longer lasting ones which take 18/24 months are better as they are regulated by the weather and moisture therefore release slowly.
Woodburning Chart
If you are one of those lucky people that lead an eco lifestyle (VERY jealous if you are) and want to buy trees to burn, then maybe our wood burning chart (excel spread sheet) will help you decide. Ash, Eucalyptus Gunnii and Willow are worth looking at for their growth rates and calorific values.
Planting Tool
If you are looking to plant lots of plug plant or cell grown trees (the 10-40cm-ish) size range then maybe you should consider our tree planting tool. Tree planting rates of over 700 per day achievable.
Adding A Bit Of Colour And Attract Wildlife
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is very attractive, fragrant and attracts more wildlife to your garden. A bit on the vigorous side but worth the effort. A great addition to your project.
Tree Spacing
Broadleaf wood planting would be around 3m between each tree. Christmas tree planting for a commercial crop is around 1m.
Factors Detrimental To Cell Grown Trees
Too much/little water, animal Urine, excessive wind exposure (will slow growth), salt spray, frost on new growth, herbicide drift and over application of fertilizer.
UK Grown Volume Trees
All our volume trees are UK grown and as far as we know because we have never caught one booking a holiday overseas.
Growing Willow For Bio Fuel
If you are in the enviable position of having enough land, then click the link grow your own Bio Fuel.
Canker On Willow Trees
Canker can show itself in the form of black leaves and bark, almost looking like they have been burnt. This is something transmitted by the weather, birds and animals etc and affects thin barked trees in particular. It can get it through wounds to the tree and there is no effective treatment other than cutting the diseased part out and allowing the tree to grow again.
Keeping the tree healthy in the first few years will help the tree fight off infection so fertilise and control weed infestation.
Water Logged Conditions And Willow Trees
So long as you do not have permanent standing water e.g. your local diving and sailing club meets on your lawn then Willow, Alder, Birch and Poplar will be ok to plant and maybe even help lower the level.
Willow Tree Sexing
We are unable to provide the sex of the Willow Trees. We have tried watching to see which toilet they go into but as tree bladders go, these are pretty resilient. Our "watcher" needed to go before they did and gave up.
