Salix nigra

Salix nigra, commonly called black willow, is a medium-to-large, fast-growing, deciduous willow tree.  It typically grows to 70-80’ tall on single or multiple curved trunks, typically 1-2' thick, topped by a spreading, rounded but sometimes irregular crown.  It may soar to as much as 140’ tall in optimum growing conditions.  It is native to moist to wet soils of floodplains, stream/river banks, swamps, marshes, sloughs, and ponds in the U. S. from Maine to Minnesota south to Colorado, Texas, and Florida and in Canada from New Brunswick to Manitoba.  It is the largest of NC's willow species and grows nearly everywhere in the state, save for the high peaks of the Mountain region.

The black willow grows in consistently moist to wet soils in full sun to part shade.  It is tolerant of many soil types so long as ample moisture is present.  It is tolerant of flooding and silting. It has a shallow, spreading root system that is good for stabilizing soils and makes the tree an effective selection for erosion control.  Soils should not be allowed to dry out.  It prefers full sun.  Avoid full shade.  Prune as needed in late winter to early spring.

The bark of black willow is dark brown to black, developing deep grooves and a rough texture with shaggy scales as it ages.  The wood is soft and weak, but is used for building crates, the cores of furniture, wooden utensils, and formerly used for building prosthetics.

Black willow is generally not recommended for use as a specimen in residential landscapes because of its susceptibility to breakage, potential insect/disease problems, need for soils that never dry out, litter problems, shallow spreading root system which may seek out water/sewer pipes, and mature size potential. In the right location, its shallow roots can act as a quality soil binder, providing excellent erosion control.

While it bears similarity to the also native Coastal Plains Willow, the two species can be told apart by the leaves– S. nigra has thinner leaves and lacks S. caroliniana's whitish undersides.

Live stakes often available.

Salix nigra can be pruned and kept at shrub size by cutting them to the ground every 2-3 years.

This is an excellent plant for a pollinator garden, as it serves as a host plant for the larvae of several butterflies including the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Red spotted purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax), and the Eastern comma (Polygonia comma).

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Insects that may be a problem include tent caterpillars, willow sawfly, leaf beetles, aphids, and stem/twig borers.  Disease problems include blights, powdery mildew, leaf spots, crown gall, and cankers. Litter from leaves, twigs, and branches cause a lot of maintenance. Shallow roots can clog sewers or drains if trees are sited in improper locations. Wood is soft and weak and tends to crack in wind, ice, or snow. Do not allow soils to dry out.

More information on Salix.