Is Goat Willow A Good Tree For Bonsai?

The goat willow is one of the most popular trees in the UK and it also grows throughout Europe, parts of Asia and it has even been introduced to parts if North American. However when it comes to bonsai, it is not really used very often.

Is Goat Willow A Good Species for Bonsai?

If I’m honest, I’m a little confused. I’ve maybe only seen 3 or 4 goat willow bonsais, ever! For some reason people are not interested in them.

They are easily found, they are pretty tough and fast growing. They respond well to work and they have quite small leaves and can get fine growth. I really believe they make a good tree and would also work in a number of sizes and styles. They may be a pioneer species, but they can live up to 300 years old.

On paper they should be a tree that people are trying for bonsai all the time. If you look at horse chestnut or sycamore, they are dreadful. Everyone knows it, but they all still give it a go.

For some reason people are just not interested in goat willows.

My only guess is that people assume they will easily die back like weeping willows. I haven’t found this to be the case, but I have found a lot of the tips die back over winter. (My tree is still quite young, so maybe I’m going to find out later why no one uses them). 

Even if this is the case, people still use weeping willow all the time, so I have no idea why goat willow is not popular.

You can follow the development of my tree in my Goat Willow Progression

Is Goat Willow Foliage Good For Bonsai?

The foliage on a goat willow isn’t too bad. They just have a very generic green oval shape to them which is fine and they could certainly be used for bonsai. 

Leaf Size

Growing in the wild on a full size tree the leaves can start to get large, but I have found them to be a reasonable size when growing in a pot and I have also noticed that they do seem to reduce quite well with pruning.

Internode Length

Again, the internode length is like the leaf size. On a full size tree it can start to stretch out, but I have found it to be quite short and tight when growing in a pot and pruning often. I have found the branches can start to get very fine and compact very easily. 

Does Goat Willow Have A Good Growth Rate For Bonsai?

Goat willow will grow very fast. They are a pioneer species so they will establish themselves quite quickly.

Weeping willows have bad reputation of dying back for no reason and loosing whole branches. I haven’t really experienced this with goat willows, but then my tree is quite young.

I have had a lot of the tips of branches die back. I have also had very small, advantageous shoots that had been growing on the tree die back too. This isn’t really a worry to me at the minute, but it does make me wonder if this is going to be lot of trouble in the future.

Maybe a whole branch will just die back? Maybe this is why they are not popular as bonsai? I will of course carry on with my own tree and update this article if I find any more concrete evidence about the die back.

Response To Pruning

Goat willow responds very well to pruning. Like all willows it will happily send out new shoots when it is pruned and you can reliably get new shoots to form where you prune.

Back Budding

They will also back bud with no problem. You will probably find shoots popping up all over the place after you prune and you will need to pay attention as these buds can grow in unwanted places and cause problems later on.

You will need to remove any buds that are growing in bad places, like in the crotch of branches or where other branches are growing. This is annoying, but it is better to have this problem with a tree you are using for bonsai, than not.

Ramification

Goat willow ramifies pretty easily. The small leaves and tight internodes really help build ramification. I have been able to get very small and fine growth in my branches without really trying.

My tree is not in the refinement stage, but it has already impressed me with its growth and ramification. I think this will be very useful in creating a bonsai.

Is Goat Willows Styling Ability Good For Bonsai?

As a delicious tree you should really style your goat willow accordingly, but really they are open to a number of different styles. What style is best for you will depend on your individual tree.    

Wiring

Wiring should be considered when you are dealing with a goat willow. You can build a lot of the tree through clip and grow techniques, but you may find that you need to wire certain branches into position and you may need to wire the main structure.

You should also watch out for the wire cutting in as the tree can grow fast and it will not take long for the wire to bite in.

Is Goat Willows Fall Colours Good For Bonsai?

The leaves are not really that impressive during autumn. They do change colour, but it’s more a slow fade from green to a yellow/ brown. They do not get that vibrant show that some other trees can have.

When they do drop their leaves you will be able to see what is going on and get a good look at the winter silhouette which can always be enjoyable, especially if you have a well developed tree.

Is Goat Willows Bark Good For Bonsai?

The bark on a young goat willow is quite thin and smooth, but it will thicken and become more textured over time, which is what happens with all other types of willows.

Wounds will stand out on a young tree, but due to their fast growth they will heal over and by the time the bark becomes gnarly, it will have hidden any scars that might have been on the tree.

Deadwood Opportunities

You shouldn’t have any deadwood on your goat willow. As a deciduous tree you should remove any. If you have a decent size trunk then some carving would work well on the tree and give it some extra character and interest. 

Are Goat Willows Roots Good For Bonsai?

The roots are ideal for bonsai. They are maybe not as hardy as other willows, but you can still do a lot of work with them.               

I treat mine like any other deciduous tree and have had great results. I have taken them back hard and had no problems. I am starting to see some good root flare and plenty of nice fine feeder roots.

This is exactly what you want for bonsai and after a number of years you can end up with a good root system. 

Is Goat Willow Easy To Care For As Bonsai

Goat willows are very easy to care for. They are usually found growing in ditches and marsh land, so putting them in some good soil will make them very happy.

For more information you can read my Goat Willow Care Guide.

Conclusion

Goat willows can make great bonsai, well I think so. However, I certainly don’t think they are the best trees for the job.

They are pretty middle of the road, but that doesn’t mean they are terrible. I can understand why you would pick another tree over a goat willow, but I’m still a little confused why no one tries to use them. I am starting to think that the die back is the issue, but as I’ve not really had the same problems as a weeping willow,  so I’m not too sure.

I’ve enjoyed growing my goat willow and I think you could too. If you are like me and stumble across one, why not give it a go. If it ends up a disaster, at least it was good practice.