Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of the leaves for small insects.
- Look for sticky residue on the foliage.
- Check for dark, sunken spots on the stems.
Likely causes
Aphids
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see clusters of tiny green or black insects on the stems and undersides of leaves. They often leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew.
What to do: Spray the affected areas with a strong stream of water from your hose to knock them off. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5 to 7 days until they are gone.
Willow anthracnose
PossibleHow to tell: This is less common for this plant, and usually happens when the weather is consistently wet and humid. It shows up as dark, sunken spots on leaves and can cause twigs to die back.
What to do: Prune away all infected twigs and leaves to stop the spread. Dispose of the clippings in the trash rather than the compost pile to prevent reinfection.
Find out what's wrong with your grey sallow
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.
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When to worry
You should worry if the infestation is heavy enough to cause leaves to curl or drop prematurely. A few aphids are normal, but a full colony can weaken the tree.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your tree healthy with proper watering and airflow to make it less attractive to pests. Regularly inspect the leaves during the spring and early summer.
Grey sallow: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your grey sallow 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.
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Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
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Questions people ask
- Will aphids kill my tree?
- Usually not, but they can stress it out and make it look messy. If you catch them early, they are easy to manage.
- Can I use dish soap to kill them?
- Yes, a mild solution of water and a few drops of plain dish soap can work. Just be sure to rinse the leaves afterward to prevent burning.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Grey sallow
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.