Pocket Botanist
.jpg){kind=link}
Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of leaves for aphids.
- Check the soil moisture level 3 inches deep.
- Look for sticky honeydew on the foliage.
Likely causes
Aphid infestation
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see small, pear shaped insects clustered on the undersides of leaves or new growth. They leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew.
What to do: Spray the leaves with a strong stream of water from your garden hose to knock them off. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap once a week for 3 weeks.
Improper soil moisture
PossibleHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry to the touch or is constantly waterlogged. Yellowing often starts on the inner leaves near the trunk.
What to do: Adjust your watering schedule to ensure the soil stays consistently moist but not swampy. Water deeply once every 7 to 14 days depending on the weather.
Find out what's wrong with your weeping 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Be concerned if the yellowing spreads rapidly across the entire canopy. A few yellow leaves in late summer are normal as the tree prepares for autumn.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your tree healthy with regular deep watering and monitor for pests early in the spring.
Weeping Willow: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your weeping 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.
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
- Can aphids kill my willow?
- While aphids rarely kill a mature tree, they can severely weaken it and stunt growth. Treating them early prevents long term damage.
- Does yellowing mean I am watering too much?
- It could. If the soil is soggy and smells sour, you are likely overwatering and need to improve drainage.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Weeping Willow
Back to the Weeping Willow guide
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.