Goat Willow

[rob39]

Hi all just wondering if the willow species Goat willow is a good wood for coppicing and fuel burn. Visited a friends site today and is full with Goat willow,around 8 acres of the wood most trees have around 6-8 limbs averaging 6" diameter. Not sure how this species will regrow but should be quick.

[Johno219]

I am burning some small diameter goat willow at the moment ,it burns hot if seasoned ,this has been felled 8months and was split and stacked straight away

[Mick Dempsey]

Regrows almost before your eyes, doubt if it has any calorific value.

 

Edit: apparently it does, I wouldn't bother with it though.

[daltontrees]

Grows again very quick, not great heat per weight but it's a clean smoke, few if any nasty phenolic stuff in it. If you've got lots lof it it's a decent fuel. Dries quite quickly too and straight growth will ring up and ping apart under the maul with almost zero effort.

[muldonach]

Hi all just wondering if the willow species Goat willow is a good wood for coppicing and fuel burn. Visited a friends site today and is full with Goat willow,around 8 acres of the wood most trees have around 6-8 limbs averaging 6" diameter. Not sure how this species will regrow but should be quick.

 

As firewood it will be fine - it is almost impossible to kill a willow by cutting it and it sounds like you have a reasonable crop to start with.

 

There are two problems with willow in my experience:-

 

1. The dann stuff just will not grow straight but forks all over the place

 

2. It loves wet feet - 8 acres of willow sounds like a good recipe for getting bogged to me but if you have good access it will be fine.

 

Cheers

mac

[rob39]

Its not my crop :-( and its south of the border, was just visiting. I've about a dozen tree's in my garden. Was buying a property with 6 acres of wood but this fell through 48hrs before we were moving in.

[spandit]

Like any wood it will burn when dry. Grows very quickly too & as mentioned, you don't have to be careful when coppicing it. Personally I like burning it, makes good charcoal too

[Yeti]

Burns well,best burner out the willow family thats for sure.Coppices okey, however growth is fairly slow in comparison to most willow so dont expect a 5 year rotation like the willow hybrid varieties.Watch for deer as they will devour the re growth.