Yup, some kind of willow, not weeping as you say. If you cut them down, they'll just sprout back. Very tenacious. Anyplace that collects water is going to have willows. Sure beats privet.

These came up in my yard for the first time too! Never had them before, but after the tornado that blew through here in the spring, a whole lot of things started to spring up that I had not had before. I guess the seeds blew here?

I'm getting them taken out with a bobcat.
GGG

I googled willows - perhaps you will also. This MAY be black willow - and I believe it likely that it won't resprout when cut down. The remaining root system could continue to stabilize the drainage ditch. You may end up with more coming up if it comes from seeds.

HTH,
Rosie

Thanks for the help, figured out it's a black willow. Fast growing, likes wet conditions, etc. Now to figure out if they can stay or need to come down!

They will re-sprout. Cut them near the ground. Use a spade bit (a.k.a. paddle bit) to drill several large holes in the trunk. Fill the holes with Round-up BRUSH killer. Cover with a pot to keep the sun from evaporating the Roundup, to keep birds from drinking and to keep rain from diluting it. Do this about 3 times over the next 3 months. It won't come back and will kill the roots