Salix nigra
Common name: Black Willow
One of the most common willows east of the Mississippi River. One of the larger ones too. It is insanely fast growing, 9 feet in 4 months here at the farm, and comes up where ever there is water for extended periods of time. Some may ask why we are growing such a weedy plant, and we’d tell them that it is an excellent habitat builder and water purifier. It is browsed on by everything from deer and beaver to caterpillars and nested in by all manner of wetland birds. There are a couple of weak points about this tree. It tends to be short-lived, most living from 40 to 65 years. It also tends to have brittle wood and can break up under pressure, but it will sucker back if this happens.
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Plant Details
Plant type
Large Shrub
Soil type
Moist Mesic, Wet
Light exposure
Eastern Exposure / Morning Sun, Full Sun, Partial Sun / Part Shade
Bloom period
Spring
Urban environment
Road-side/Salt Tolerant, Yards that Flood
Habitat
Floodplain, Moist Woods, Savannas, Wetlands
Growth form
Shrubby/Clump, Single trunk, Colonizing / Spreading
Growth rate
Fast
Flower color
Green
Fall color
Yellow
Size
- Mature height
- 30 Feet
- Mature width
- 30 Feet
- Max height
- 50 Feet
- Max width
- 40 Feet
Additional information
Butterfly host plant Pollinator hot spot