Will brown tips turn green again?

No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. Focus on preventing the browning from spreading to new growth.

Should I trim the brown tips off?

You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but it is not necessary for the health of the tree. Use clean, sharp shears to avoid damaging the healthy tissue.

White willow: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Test the soil moisture to see if it is dry.
Examine the leaf tips for signs of crispness.
Check if you have recently applied fertilizers or de-icing salts nearby.

Likely causes

Inconsistent watering
Possible
How to tell: The tips of the leaves dry out and turn brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This happens when the tree experiences cycles of extreme dryness followed by heavy watering.
What to do: Water the tree deeply every 3 to 7 days to keep the soil consistently moist. Use a soaker hose to provide a slow, steady supply of water to the roots.
Salt buildup
Possible
How to tell: Brown tips appear on leaves even when the soil feels moist. This is often caused by high salt content in the soil or water, which prevents the roots from absorbing moisture.
What to do: Flush the soil around the base of the tree with a large volume of fresh water to leach out excess salts. Avoid using chemical fertilizers near the tree base.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your white willow

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Seek help if the browning progresses to the entire leaf or causes significant leaf drop. Minor tip browning is often just a reaction to a particularly hot week.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil evenly moist and avoid placing the tree near areas where road salt is used in winter.

White willow: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your white willow and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Will brown tips turn green again?: No, the brown parts are dead tissue and will not recover. Focus on preventing the browning from spreading to new growth.
Should I trim the brown tips off?: You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but it is not necessary for the health of the tree. Use clean, sharp shears to avoid damaging the healthy tissue.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my white willow's leaf tips turning brown?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your white willow?