Knowledgebase

Invasive willow? #768685

Asked August 23, 2021, 11:30 AM EDT

Can you please identify this variety of willow and tell me if it is an invasive species in Michigan? Thank you!

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!

The Question Asker Replied August 31, 2021, 4:50 PM EDT

Additional photos

The Question Asker Replied August 31, 2021, 4:51 PM EDT

Additional photos

The Question Asker Replied August 31, 2021, 9:06 PM EDT

I am wondering about black willow, Salix nigra, they have stipules.  

An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 01, 2021, 9:06 AM EDT

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. 

An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 01, 2021, 9:12 AM EDT

Could It be Salix babylonica?

The Question Asker Replied September 01, 2021, 11:40 AM EDT

Salix babylonica is not listed as being found in MI by Michigan Flora and the USDA plant database.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 01, 2021, 11:44 AM EDT

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!

The Question Asker Replied September 01, 2021, 12:38 PM EDT

Can you send a photo of the underside of one of the larger leaves?

An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 01, 2021, 3:10 PM EDT

Here are additional pictures. Hope they help. Thank you for you time!

The Question Asker Replied September 02, 2021, 11:25 AM EDT

New photo

The Question Asker Replied September 02, 2021, 11:29 AM EDT

More photos

The Question Asker Replied September 02, 2021, 11:30 AM EDT

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.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 02, 2021, 11:31 AM EDT

Leaves were silvery but some of that has gone away

The Question Asker Replied September 02, 2021, 11:44 AM EDT

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