American Water Willow Control: How To Get Rid of American Water Willow

This page is a general DIY article on eliminating American water willow from your property using the products and methods suggested throughout this guide. Follow this DIY guide and use the recommended products, and we guarantee 100% control over American water willow on your property.

American water willow is a flowering perennial plant. It is a typical pond or lake invader that can get in the way of recreational activities and mess with the aquatic ecosystem.  The American water willow has long spear-like leaves with a center vein that can grow up to 3 feet tall and often forms thick clusters on water surfaces that help stabilize shorelines. In some cases, American water willow is beneficial, but if it's growing and creating a dense cluster in water, you may have a problem if you use the water for recreation.  

American water willow has crept up throughout the United States, preferring to reside in wetlands like streams, swamps, ponds, and rivers. This plant can spread from seeds and develop multiple rhizomes to form colonies that spread quickly without intervention.

If you have American water willow invading your aquatic property, follow our guide below, which contains recommendations for products that can eliminate American water willow permanently.

Identification

Before you can proceed with a treatment program, you must be sure that your weed is indeed an American water willow. Misidentification can lead you to use the wrong treatment products and waste time and money. Below are some characteristics of American water willow to aid in identification:

• American water willow is a tree that grows in aquatic areas. Its leaves look very much like those of the willow tree. The leaves are opposite, long, and narrowly tapered (up to 6 inches long and 1/2 inches wide) with smooth margins and a unique-looking white midvein. The tree bark of the American water willow can be dark brown or black and textured with tiny ridges.
• American water willows flower between May and October. They grow on long stems from the base of the leaves. The flowers have five petals and look similar to orchids. They are primarily white with streaks of purple and violet on the lower side of the petals. 

Use our description and the image provided to help you identify whether the weed you see is American water willow. If you need further assistance, we will provide you with the correct identification.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed the infestation is American water willows, you can move on to inspection. During this phase, you will locate the areas where American water willows are infesting and observe the conditions allowing them to thrive. This information will help you determine where to apply herbicide applications.

Where to Inspect

American water willow are found prominently in places where there is lots of water and sunlight. They can also be found in shallow water and mud.

What to Look For

Look for the American water willow poking up from out of the water. They can be identified by their long, narrow, leaves which taper off or have toothed edges, similar to that of a willow tree. You may also see the formation of white flowers among the green leaves or, if fully mature, a larger orchid-like flower with purples and pink streaks. If the American water willow is in a wildlife area, there may be deer, beavers, muskrats, and nutria that will like to consume it, so spotting these animals will let you know where it is.

Treatment

Before handling any herbicides, make sure to have on the proper PPE in the form of gloves, glasses and a respirator mask.

Our top herbicide recommendation labeled to control American water willow effectively is Ecomazapyr 2SL Aquatic herbicide as it is broad-spectrum and works systemically. 

Step 1: Mix the Ecomazapyr 2SL

Before using Ecomazapyr, you will need to calculate the size of the area to be treated by measuring and multiplying the area length times the width (length x width = square footage). To get acreage, you would need to take the square footage you calculated and divide by 43,560 (Square footage /43,560 = Acreage).

For large-volume applications using a professional spray rig, apply 4-6 pints per acre in up to 100 gallons of water.  

For small spot treatment applications of Ecomazapyr using a hand or backpack sprayer, you can mix 0.5% concentration at 0.6 fl. oz. up to 5% concentration at 6.5 fl. oz. in a gallon of water. 

Fill your spray tank with half the required amount of water, add in the appropriate measured amount of Ecomazapyr 2SL and then fill with the remaining amount of water. Agitate the sprayer well to mix the solution. 

Step 2: Spot Treat American Water Willow

Once water temperatures are around sixty degrees or warmer you should spray the Ecomazapyr mixture. Ideally, this would be in the early morning or late evening when the wind is calm to prevent spray drift into unwanted areas when applying the herbicide mixture. 

Adjust the nozzle on the spray wand to a narrow spray pattern to allow for decent coverage without over-concentrating the herbicide.

Apply the herbicide liberally to the American water willow, but do not apply it to the point of runoff to reduce the chances of contamination of the area's water. Depending on the size of the pond or lake, it may be best to apply the herbicide in sections rather than all at once. 

Step 3: Follow Up Application

Reapplication may be necessary to totally get rid of American water willow. Total control may be achieved in about 2 weeks but it really depends on the plants persistence. If you don't see a noticeable difference after 2 to 4 days, apply again and once more until the plant has totally died out.

Prevention

After American water willows have been removed, take on some preventative measures to ensure this weed does not return.

• To prevent American water willows from making a comeback, we suggest applying Vision Pond Dye to your water body. This product is a filtering agent and helps to reduce vegetation growth. Apply at a rate of 1 quart per surface acre of water at a 5-foot average depth. Using the Ecomazapyr 2SL periodically as a preventative measure can also keep American water willow from re-establishing itself.

Key Takeaways

What Are American Water Willows?

• American water willow is a weed that can form dense colonies that can get interfere with recreation and attract wildlife.

How to Get Rid of American Water Willows

• Ecomazapyr 2SL has proven to do an excellent job in eradicating American water willow from water bodies and is our top recommendation.

Prevent American Water Willow Reinfestations

• Regular monitoring, preventative applications of Ecomazapyr 2SL and adding Vision Pond Dye to your water body are the best tips for American water willow prevention.