Black Willow
Salix nigra · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Salicaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Riparian/Wetland Tree, Native Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (wild form)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9. Highly adaptable to cold winters and hot, humid summers as long as adequate moisture is present.
About This Tree
A fast-growing, medium to large deciduous tree often growing as a multi-trunked shrub or tree near water margins. Features a spreading, irregular, open crown with slender, arching branches and fine-textured, lanceolate light green foliage.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate arrangement, long and narrow (lanceolate to linear), 2-6 inches long, fine serrations along margins. Bright green on upper surface and slightly paler green underneath, turning pale yellow in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to gray-black, deeply furrowed with shaggy, interlacing ridges on mature trunks. Young twigs are smooth, slender, and yellowish-green to brown.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern North America, from New Brunswick and southern Quebec west to Minnesota and south to Florida and Texas.
Growing Season
Leafs out early in spring (March-April), flowers shortly after leafing in spring with slender catkins, drops seed capsules in early summer, and enters dormancy in late autumn (October-November) with yellow foliage turn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for optimal growth. High water needs; thrives in wet, saturated, or seasonally flooded soils. Poor drought tolerance.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 30 to 60 feet in height with a spread of 30 to 50 feet. Fast growth rate (often exceeding 2-3 feet per year), with a relatively short lifespan of 40 to 70 years.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional erosion control along riverbanks, lakeshores, and wetland restoration sites due to extensive, aggressive root systems. Wood is lightweight and flexible.
Wildlife & Ecology
High ecological value: serves as a critical larval host plant for butterflies such as the Viceroy and Mourning Cloak. Provides essential nesting habitat and cover for waterfowl and songbirds, while early spring flowers supply nectar for bees.