Salix cinerea - Grey Sallow

Here are two pictures of Salix cinerea, Grey Sallow showing the growth to July.

Picture of Salix cinerea		Close up picture of Salix cinerea

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Description

Salix cinerea is a tall shrub or small tree which is usually less than 10m high. It is generally much branched from the base but can sometimes be found with a distinct trunk. Branches spread to form a broad, rounded or flattened crown. Grey Sallow has dark grey-brown bark which becomes fissured with age. The twigs are dark reddish-brown which are densely pubescent at first and can remain so for the first year before becoming glabrous or sub-glabrous.

The leaves of Salix cinerea are very varied, usually obovate or broadly oblanceolate, 2-9cm long and 1-3cm wide. They are dull grey-green and pubescent above and ash grey below.

Catkins appear in advance of the leaves in March and April and are cylindrical and 2-3cm long and 0.6-1cm wide. Female catkins are smaller and narrower than the male.

Distribution

Salix cinerea has a wide distribution in the fenlands of southern and eastern Britain. The limits of the distribution of Grey Sallow are not know at present though they are found in Scotland, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. It is found in base-rich fens and marshes at low altitude.