Knowledgebase
Invasive willow? #768685
Asked August 23, 2021, 11:30 AM EDT
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
It would be very helpful for our expert to have two more pictures:
1-a picture of the whole plant taken 10 feet back or more, to show it from soil line to top of crown.
2- a clear picture of the bark on the main trunk.
I will watch for your update. Thank you!
Here are the additional pictures. Please identify this willow if you can. They are pleading like wild in our easement.
Thank you!
Additional photos
Additional photos
I am wondering about black willow, Salix nigra, they have stipules.
I am wondering about black willow, Salix nigra, they have stipules.
It is really hard to make an id on willow without flowers and a physical sample. There are not any willows on the invasive species list.
Could It be Salix babylonica?
Salix babylonica is not listed as being found in MI by Michigan Flora and the USDA plant database.
Is there any way to get a positive identification on this willow. I can send in a small plant or pieces of it? Or, can you refer me to another source that know? Thank you!
Can you send a photo of the underside of one of the larger leaves?
Here are additional pictures. Hope they help. Thank you for you time!
New photo
More photos
I consulted my colleagues in Horticulture and this was their response as to what species they think you have.
I would say it is Salix interior (formerly S. exigua), sandbar willow. S. interior is native to most of North America including Michigan, can be a large shrub to small tree, mature leaves are hairless with a medium green upper surface and pale green lower surface, young shoots are green turning to reddish-brown then brown, has no or few small stipules at the base of the petiole, more space between serration, and the largest branches you show typically remain greenish to some tan breaking through.
This willow can spread aggressively from vegetative offshoots.
Leaves were silvery but some of that has gone away