Do I plant it out or throw it away?

[Darwin.]

I found what I've been told is a Willow growing in my polytunnel. It wasn't there last year and is almost 2' tall already. Having looked at pictures I think it's a tea leaved willow but I'm not sure.

I have a 4' tall willow of a different kind growing among my honeysuckle too and it wasn't there last year. The tea leaved one especially I was going to plant, possibly in a pot for now, then stick it at the front if the house where I need extra trees to block off a corner. Are they a nice tree? Will it get big? Is it worth my while or will I dump it?

[Martin H]

I think it looks like a goat willow. It makes a moderate sized tree, pussy willows in the spring but otherwise nondescript. It's fairly wildlife friendly, lots of caterpillars will eat the leaves for example.

I think I would compost it, to be honest.

I used to have one at the bottom of my garden, I thinned out the branches and grew a clematis montana grandiflora up it, looked good when in flower but tatty the rest of the time.

[Darwin.]

I dug it up today but stuck it in a pot outside. The garden is huge so it's not getting in the way. If it looks like it might be a nice tree I'll plant it. If not, I'll stuck it through my mulcher/shredder. I might do the same with the one that's growing through the honeysuckle.

I have a load of Beech plants I got for patching the hedge and don't need them all so I'm going to pit a few if those and grow them as trees too. I love trees.

[chris]

I'd go with your own theory.

[Snailfox]

you could always plant it in a random secluded spot somewhere and engage in a bit of guerilla gardening, possibly even by moonlight...