Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of the curled leaves for small beetles or larvae.
- Feel the soil to see if it has dried out between waterings.
- Check if the curling happens mostly during the hottest afternoon hours.
Likely causes
Willow leaf beetle
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see small metallic blue or green beetles on the leaves. The foliage will look skeletonized or curled where the larvae have been feeding.
What to do: Pick the beetles off by hand if the tree is small. For larger infestations, use a neem oil spray applied to both sides of the leaves every 7 days.
Heat stress
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves curl inward during the hottest part of the day to conserve moisture. The soil may also feel dry to the touch.
What to do: Increase your watering frequency to ensure the soil stays consistently wet. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to help the roots retain moisture.
Find out what's wrong with your black 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.
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When to worry
Worry if you see significant defoliation or if the curling persists even when the soil is wet. It is normal for leaves to curl slightly during a brief heat spike.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the tree well watered and monitor the foliage regularly for early signs of beetle activity.
Black willow: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your black 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.
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Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
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Questions people ask
- Do I need to use chemical pesticides for the beetles?
- Usually not, as hand picking or neem oil is effective for most home gardens. Avoid harsh chemicals that could harm beneficial insects.
- Is curling a sign of black canker?
- No, black canker typically causes sunken lesions on the branches rather than leaf curling. Look for dark, dead patches on the bark instead.
More problems with Black willow
Back to the Black 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.