Grey Willow Tree Facts and Information

Grey Willow Tree Facts and Information

  • Latin Name: Salix cinerea
  • Native Words: Old Irish (saille), Scots Gaelic (suil), Old English (), Welsh (), Eastern Celtic ()
  • Ogham Sign: S
  • Height When Mature: 6m (15ft)
  • Height After 10 Years:

Grey Willow Tree Leaves

Grey Willow Botanical Description

Known as Grey Willow due to the grey hairs on its shoots, this tree is often referred to as Pussy Willow because of the fat, silvery male buds that emerge in late winter and turn into bright yellow catkins in March and April.

Salix cinerea and S. caprea are both commonly termed Pussy Willows and are difficult to distinguish due to frequent hybridisation in the wild. Leaves are 6–10cm long, elliptical, soft underneath, and green above with a grey-green underside. The bark starts smooth and grey-green but becomes corky and ridged with age.

It has an untidy, sprawling growth habit but can be trained into a more compact form.

Grey Willow Natural History and Ancient Wisdom

Grey Willow thrives in wet, marshy environments and is often found on former industrial sites. It’s a classic pioneer species that quickly colonises disturbed or open ground.

Its strong, water-resistant, and flexible wood was historically used to make coracle frames, cricket bats, and Dutch clogs. The Celts used it for chariot wheel spokes, while gypsies crafted clothes pegs from it. Coppiced willow branches were widely used in traditional wicker-work industries and remain popular in contemporary living sculptures.

Willow has long been recognised for its medicinal qualities. Salicylic acid, derived from willow bark, is the basis of aspirin. Willow infusions were historically used to treat fevers and pain, and young twigs were chewed for their analgesic effects.

Discover more about willow tree symbolism.

Grey Willow Place Names in the UK

  • Withgill (Yorkshire)
  • Withcote (Leicestershire) – "willow ridge"
  • Witcombe (Somerset) – "willow clump"
  • Willen (Berkshire) – "willow valley"
  • Achnashellach (Ross-shire) – "willows"
  • Glensuileag (Inverness-shire)
  • Corrieshalloch (Speyside)

In Manchester, Withy Grove near the River Irwell likely refers to willow trees that once grew there.

Grey Willow Wildlife Rating

Good

  • One of the most beneficial native trees for wildlife in the UK.
  • Early catkins provide vital nectar for bees emerging in spring.

Grey Willow Tree Sapling

Grey Willow Good Points / Bad Points

  • Tolerates wet, boggy ground – ideal for damp spots in gardens.
  • Can be trained into living structures like willow arches and bowers.

Buy a Grey Willow Tree

We’ve been delivering tree gifts across the UK for over 15 years. Our Grey Willow Tree Gift is ideal for anniversaries, especially the 9th (Willow Anniversary), and nature lovers alike. For something larger, consider our Kilmarnock Willow Tree, which adds elegant shape and structure to any garden.