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Grey Willow - Salix cinerea
Also known as Common Willow, Grey Sallow

Grows to a height of less than 6m (20ft) it is usually a branched bush like form but occasionally has a distinct dark grey fissured trunk, common in wet habitats forming a broad flat crown in mature specimens. Variable leaves usually obovate to lanceolate 2-9cm (0.8-3.5in) long and 1-3cm (0.4-1.2I in) wide, greyish green pubescent on the upper surface and light grey below, are softly hairy when young developing inrolled margins with age.. Yellow male ♂ and Green female ♀ catkins on different trees are 2 - 3cm (0.8 - 1.2in) long appear before the leaves, the female are narrower and generally smaller than the male. Widespread throughout Europe the Grey Willow favours growing in wet, acid soils. Winter twigs which remain velvet and hairy. Male catkins can form a gall caused by a midge, Rhabdophaga heterobia, the galls become infected by a fungus that releases a chemical that further encourages growth. Flowers March to April. Planted on river banks and lake edges to help to stabilise the soil.

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