Salix nigra

black willow

Black willow is named for its dark gray-brown bark. The tree is the largest and most important New World willow and is one of the first trees to bud in the spring. The numerous uses of the wood of this and other willows is furniture doors, millwork, barrels and boxes.   

  
Photos Used by Permission:   Paul Wray, ForestryImages.org

Start with the Tree Finder if you are not sure what kind of tree you have!

Black Willow Habitat and Culture
(silvics courtesy of Silvics Manual,  USFS)  

Fire Effects On Black Willow
(courtesy of  U.S. Forest Service, Fire Effects) 

From Virginia Tech w/Photos
(Big List courtesy of VT Dendrology)

North American Timber Types
(courtesy About Forestry) 

The Great American Hardwood Forest
(courtesy About Forestry) 

Wood Tech Sheet
(fact sheet courtesy of USFS in .pdf)  

Recent Black Willow Champion: 76' height, 92' spread, 400" circumf., Grand Traverse Co., Michigan
National Register of Big Trees

Black Willow Images
(courtesy of  ForestryImages.org)

Historic Black Willow Images
(courtesy of  University of Chicago and the Library of Congress)

Buy a Black Willow Online
(Nurseries selling seedlings online)

Range Map

-The native range of black willow, USFS.

Quick Stats
Common Names:  swamp willow, Gooding willow
Habitat:  wet soils
Description:  largest and most important New World willow, first trees to bud in spring
Uses:  furniture doors, millwork, barrels, honey tree