Goats willow problem

I had to look what goats willow was as I d never heard pussy willows called that They re very pretty trees though aren’t they
Sounds a big problem for you and a shame the neighbours aren’t being very helpful and cooperating
I m sorry I can’t be more helpful I m not at all sure where you go from here as there doesn’t seem anything you can do if they don’t engage with you

I too have this problem. It’s my own tree and is beautiful but every year I say am going to take it out ! For about 2 weeks each year I wade through the dropping seeds. This year there’s been a breeze most days and the ‘white fluffy seeds’ have blown into the conservatory and lie like froth - impossible to pick up easily. They block next doors gutters so DH has to ask permission to clear them in case it rains. (Bungalow luckily). We trimmed it back last year - but the only thing to do really is take it out and not make the same mistake again. We have a tiny patch of false grass under it and I actually hoovered the white sticky residue seeds off as the cats were constantly covered and sticky !!

Not only that but they self seed amongst my bank of shrubs and next thing I know there are new goat willow trees everywhere about 6ft high as they grow prolifically. The original mature tree is ours however so I can’t complain but I do sympathise as they’re not your trees. Would a garden vacuum be any good? I don’t think neighbours are going to do anything.

Thank you all for your comments. Made me feel better as I'm glad others understand. A garden vacuum might be an idea, though we've a largish garden. Concerned about the future too as both neighbours soil and ours is ideal for willows and if they won't, or let us, do anything i envisage a willow wood next door. I understand your neighbours problem in the bungalow and it's wonderful that you sort the gutters. We are in a one and a half high house (bedrooms in roof space) and the trees are taller so our gutters get full too. Apparently it's the male trees that have the silky catkins ours are female so not quite as attractive BlueBelle.

I understand your frustration but if sallow/goat willow grow and reproduce so readily in your area it could mean you're in what used to be called a willow carr area. You rightly say that these species are very valuable to wildlife.

We have both sallow and goat willow, plus sallows in the field next to our garden. The sallows are more of a problem than the goat willow, which is actually a lovely, fluid tree.

You might just have to lump it. Be thankful it isn't giant Rhododendron ponticum causing you problems from your neighbour's garden.

Hope you find some solution.

BTW, there is so much willow of all sorts around here that paths looked like this for ages. It has all blown away now, or been eaten. Probably both.

Thank you Baggs. A large area of our garden looks like the path in your photo.I'm not sure if they're sallow or not. The leaves are ovate like goats willow but I belive you can also get a cross between a grey and goats willow which can further complicate identification. We don't have any swamp or carr land but fairly heavy clay soil which is sometimes wet. 3 or 4 of the neighbour's trees are around their attenuation pond where the ground is generally damp/wet. The pond is about 3m from our boundary.

I would invest in a garden vac.
It's only a couple of weeks a year!
I do know this problem by the way. I know it's a nuisance... but it's not the worst of horror planting!

Well it's already been going on for a month, although I believe this is a mast year so worse than usual. It's also ongoing. I'm not sure where to put grass clippings etc as covered in seeds. Our compost bins also covered in it but perhaps the seeds will decompose in the composting process. If it only lasted a couple of weeks it would be bearable but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Still landing as I speak.

Grass clippings if put in a big heap generate quite a lot of heat - I measured temperature of over 50 degrees in a pile. That should kill any willow seeds, but make sure they're well buried in grass.

Thanks Farmor15