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 media was the most common species except in Upper Banffshire and Morayshire where Galeopsis spp. and Polygonum aviculare, respectively, were predominant. The main changes apparent were a decline of Spergula arvensis and Polygonum persicaria, and an increase in Matricaria perforata and Viola arvensis in several districts.