Salix nigra
A large North American tree growing along streams and wetlands, it is dioecious with catkins in early spring, features dark, deeply furrowed bark and narrowly lance-shaped, finely serrated leaves, and is commonly used for erosion control and as a shade tree.
Common Names
Black Willow, Swamp Willow, Southwestern Black Willow, Gulf Black Willow, Dudley Willow, Goodding Willow, Sauz, Willow
Summary
Black Willow (Salix nigra) is a fast-growing dioecious deciduous tree native to eastern North America, typically reaching 30–60 feet in height with a broad, irregular crown. It features dark brown to nearly black bark that becomes deeply furrowed with age, slender lance-shaped leaves 3–6 inches long, and catkins in spring on separate male and female trees, with wind- and water-dispersed seeds; the wood is light and soft, and a shallow, spreading root system aids erosion control along streams and other moist habitats, while providing wildlife habitat for pollinators and other organisms. Cultivation emphasizes moist, consistently wet soils with full sun to partial shade; it tolerates flooding and is commonly used for erosion control along streambanks, swamps, and ponds. Propagation is straightforward from cuttings or seeds, with establishment easiest from cuttings and seeds germinating best on very moist mineral soil. Pruning is best in late winter to early spring, and maintenance includes removing suckers and monitoring for pests such as aphids, willow leaf beetle, tent caterpillars, and caterpillar-related diseases like cankers and powdery mildew; the wood’s weakness and potential breakage warrant planting away from buildings and utilities, while uses include shade, riparian restoration, wildlife habitat, and natural landscaping.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
30-50 feet
Spread
30-60 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4-9
Sunlight Requirements
Full Sun to Partial Shade.
Soil Type
Consistently moist to wet soils
Soil Drainage
Wet to moist, poorly drained or saturated soils (floodplains, swamps, banks)
Soil pH
6-8, ideal pH range for Salix nigra, tolerates acidic to alkaline soils
Bloom Color
Yellow-green
Bloom Time
Spring
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Yellow to bronze, with greenish-yellow and yellow-green in autumn.
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast-growing
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Marshall
- Publication
- Arbust. Amer. : 139 (1785)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Malpighiales
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Genus
- Salix
Synonyms
Salix ligustrina Pleiarina nigra Salix dubia Salix flavovirens Salix falcata Salix ligustrina Salix houstoniana Salix ambigua Salix denudata Salix ludoviciana Salix purshiana Salix nigra var. marginata Salix nigra var. lindheimerii Salix nigra f. falcata Salix nigra var. falcata Salix nigra var. altissima Amerina balduiniana Amerina houstoniana Salix nigra var. longifolia Salix nigra var. nigra Salix marginata Amerina nigra