grey willow - how to identify female plants

Where there is a lot of grey willow present, it may be most efficient to remove female plants first, to reduce long-distance spread of seed. Female trees need to be marked for removal when they are flowering, typically September-October.

Salix cinerea, Salicaceae

Identification

Female grey willow Male grey willow Male crack willow
  • Catkins more than twice as long as they are wide
  • Catkins not much longer than they are wide
  • Catkins more than twice as long as they are wide
  • No anthers present
  • Yellow anthers may be present

    (Close-up of anthers)
  • Yellow anthers may be present
  • Leaves rounded
  • Leaves rounded
  • Leaves long and thin, paler below, shining on top
  • Leaves with fine hairs underneath
  • Leaves with fine hairs underneath
  • Young leaves with some hairs, older leaves with none


Female catkin of grey willow, early in the flowering period


Female catkin of grey willow, later in the flowering period


Male catkin of grey willow, early in the flowering period


Male catkins of grey willow, mid-flowering


Male catkin of grey willow, later in the flowering period


Male catkin of crack willow, mid-flowering. Also note the different leaves.

Status

Grey willow has been declared an unwanted organism in New Zealand.

Control

Pull seedlings out, or cut and paint larger plants with herbicide. Place material in household rubbish - don't leave it lying on the ground or try to compost.

Additional information on grey willow is available here.