SummaryA survey of dicotyledonous weeds of spring cereals was conducted prior to herbicide application in 1985 in six districts of north‐east Scotland, which involved a total of 113 fields. Results were similar to those from an earlier survey in 1973. The main species remained the same but in four of the six districts, total weed densities were lower.Stellaria mediawas the most common species except in Upper Banffshire and Morayshire whereGaleopsisspp. andPolygonum aviculare, respectively, were predominant. The main changes apparent were a declineof Spergula arvensisandPolygonum persicaria, and an increase inMatricaria perforataandViola arvensisin several district