Grey willow

A very common willow that looks much like goat willow and grows in similar places so it is quite hard to tell them apart.

What other names does it have?

Can also be known as	Grey sallow Common sallow Pussy willow
Generic name	Willow
Latin name	Salix cinerea subsp. oleifolia
Family name	Willow
Latin family name	Saliceceae

What type of tree is it?

Is it a broadleaf or conifer?	It is a broadleaf
Does it lose its leaves in autumn?	Yes, it is deciduous

Species description:

Average height	5-7m

Leaf

Description	The leaves are long and thin- at least twice as long as wide. They have a fine felt underneath with odd rusty hairs under the veins.
Shape	Oval
Colour	Green
Leaf bud	Buds are rounded and have minute hairs for the first year
Leaf stalk	Short stalk
Leaf arrangement	Alternate

Flower, seed, and fruit

Type of flower	Catkin
Type of seed body	Catkin
Seeds dispersed by	Wind

Bark and twig

Bark description	Has shallow very dark grey ridges
Twig Description	Young twigs are minutely hairy. Twigs older than two years are ridged

What other trees are similar?

Can easily be confused with?	Goat willow or sallow- this has much larger oval to round leaves

Where is it usually found?

Is it native or non-native to the British Isles?	Native
Where is its natural range?	Britain and Ireland
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions?	Abundant in a range of conditions except on the lightest soils and dry sites
What is its British conservation status?	Common

Additional information

Tree lore and folklore

All willows were seen as trees of celebration in biblical times but this had changed over time and now the willows are associated with sadness and mourning. Classical poems often refer to willow in this way and it is repeated in art with Ophelia drowning herself near a willow. It is suggested that the bitter taste of willow gave it this assocation. Sprays of sallow have frequently been used as ‘palm’ to decorate churches and homes at Easter as little else was in leaf or flower. Tradition has it that if girls didn’t wear a sprig of pussy willow on Palm Sunday, then they would get their hair pulled

Grey Willow leaves

Illustrations supplied by
Collins

BritishTrees