Side by side
White willow or weeping willow? How to tell them apart
Salix alba · Salix × sepulcralis
How to tell them apart – white willow: upright branches and silvery-grey leaves; weeping willow: long, golden-yellow twigs that hang down to the ground (or the water).
How do you recognise them?
- White willow
- Long, narrow leaf, silvery-hairy on both sides; from a distance the tree looks silver-grey.
- Compared with weeping willow: upright branches and silvery-grey leaves.
- Weeping willow
- Long, golden-yellow twigs that hang down to the ground (or the water).
| White willow | Weeping willow | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, lance-shaped, 5–10 cm, finely toothed; both sides (especially the underside) silky and silvery-hairy. | Alternate, narrowly lance-shaped, 8–12 cm, finely toothed. |
| Flowering | Catkins in April; male and female on separate trees (April). | Catkins in April, together with the leaves (April). |
| Fruit | Fluffy seeds in May–June. | – |
| Bark | Grey and deeply furrowed in a network pattern. | Grey-brown and furrowed; twigs golden yellow. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 15–25 m, often pollarded | Broadleaf tree, 10–20 m |
| Site | Full sun, any garden soil, moist to wet | Full sun, any garden soil, moist to wet |
| Native to Belgium | Yes | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | November–March | November–March |
What does it mean for your garden?
- White willow is native: it feeds more insects and birds than a non-native species. If in doubt, choose this one.
- White willow (15–25 m) and weeping willow (10–20 m) both grow into large trees: too big for an ordinary garden, but fine in a large garden, a park or a meadow.
Read on
- Plant profile: White willow
- Plant profile: Weeping willow
- White willow: when and how to prune
- Weeping willow: when and how to prune
- Identification key: the question that separates them
Also looks like
- Osier or white willow
- White willow or crack willow
- Almond willow or white willow
- Purple willow or white willow
- Peach or white willow
- White willow or butterfly bush
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.