Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of leaves for fungal growth.
- Check for dead or dying twigs near the spots.
- Clear away all fallen leaves from the soil surface.
Likely causes
Willow anthracnose
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see dark, irregular brown or black spots on the leaves and sometimes twig dieback. It spreads quickly in wet, humid conditions.
What to do: Prune away all infected branches and leaves to stop the spread. Dispose of the clippings in the trash, not your compost pile. Keep the area around the base clean of fallen debris.
Leaf spot fungi
PossibleHow to tell: These appear as smaller, more circular spots that may have a yellow halo. They are usually less aggressive than anthracnose.
What to do: Improve air circulation around the plant by thinning out crowded branches. Avoid overhead watering to keep the leaves dry.
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
If the spots are spreading rapidly and causing entire branches to die back, you need to act fast. A few spots here and there are normal for an outdoor willow in a wet season.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant well spaced and prune it annually to ensure good airflow through the canopy.
Grey sallow: spots? 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will the spots go away on their own?
- Usually not. You need to remove the infected parts to prevent the fungus from spreading to healthy growth.
- Can I use a fungicide?
- Yes, a copper based fungicide can help if applied early in the season, but pruning is your best first line of defense.
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.