Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil 2 inches deep to check for moisture.
- Look for signs of wilting before the leaves drop.
- Check the weather history for recent heat or dry spells.
Likely causes
Drought stress
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn brown at the edges before falling off, and the soil feels dry to the touch. This tree requires consistently wet soil to thrive.
What to do: Water the tree deeply and immediately. Maintain a schedule of watering every 1 to 3 days to keep the root zone moist.
Extreme heat
PossibleHow to tell: Leaves drop during a heatwave even if the soil is moist. The tree is trying to reduce water loss through transpiration.
What to do: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to keep the roots cool. Ensure the tree gets plenty of water during the hottest parts of the day.
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 the tree drops leaves in early summer during normal weather. Some leaf drop in late autumn is a natural part of the tree going dormant.
Stopping it coming back
Mulch the root zone heavily to retain moisture. Stick to a strict watering schedule during the summer months.
Black willow: leaf drop? 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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Questions people ask
- Can I overwater a Black willow?
- It is very difficult to overwater this species. They naturally grow in wet areas and love having 'wet feet'.
- Will the leaves grow back?
- If the tree is just stressed from a short dry spell, it will likely push out new growth once you restore proper watering.
Guides to these causes
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.