Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Willow Tree

If you love Sherwin Williams Willow Tree but need a Benjamin Moore alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Benjamin Moore, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.

Willow Tree (SW 7741) is a medium-dark green with forest sage undertones. A deep sage green. More saturated than Comfort Gray. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 25) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.

We calculated the perceptual color distance between Willow Tree and every Benjamin Moore color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.

The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Benjamin Moore option is Cabot Trail (CC-12) with a Delta E of 4.4, which is a "good match" level match. Cabot Trail is darker. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.

Benjamin Moore Matches for Willow Tree

Cabot Trail CC-12
Good match · ΔE 4.4

Cabot Trail is darker.

Willow TreeCabot Trail
LRV2518.55
Hex#99A38F#7F8F7F
UndertoneForest SageForest Green-Gray
FamilyGreenGreen

Undertone Comparison

Willow Tree has forest sage undertones. A deep sage green. More saturated than Comfort Gray.

Cabot Trail has forest green-gray undertones. A rich, muted forest green. More depth than sage, less bold than emerald. Earthy and sophisticated.

These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.

How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting

Willow Tree in Your Room

Distinctly green. A rich, earthy sage.

Cabot Trail in Your Room

In bright light, distinctly green. In dim rooms, a moody dark gray-green. Dramatic and nature-inspired.

LRV and Brightness

Willow Tree has an LRV of 25, while Cabot Trail has an LRV of 18.55. That means Willow Tree reflects noticeably more light. In the same room, Willow Tree will make the space feel brighter and more open than Cabot Trail. If you are switching to the Benjamin Moore option, expect the room to feel slightly more intimate and cozy.

Best Rooms for Willow Tree

Sherwin Williams recommends Willow Tree for: accent wall, kitchen, exterior, office, bedroom. With an LRV of 25, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.

Cabot Trail is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, office, powder room, kitchen island. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Cabot Trail in the same rooms you planned for Willow Tree.

Willow Tree in Other Brands

Looking for Willow Tree equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

The closest Benjamin Moore match for Willow Tree (SW 7741) is Cabot Trail (CC-12) with a Delta E of 4.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Cabot Trail is darker. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.

No, they are not identical. Willow Tree is a Sherwin Williams color with forest sage undertones and an LRV of 25. Cabot Trail is a Benjamin Moore color with forest green-gray undertones and an LRV of 18.55. With a Delta E of 4.4, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.

With a Delta E of 4.4, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.

There are several practical reasons to look for a Benjamin Moore equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Benjamin Moore. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Benjamin Moore work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.

Colors on screen are approximations. Your monitor, lighting, and paint finish will affect how colors appear in your space. Always test with a physical paint sample before purchasing.

Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.