Black Willow

Salix nigra

Plant Characteristics:

• Duration: perennial 
• Habit: tree
• Breeding system: Flowers Unisexual; Deciduous   
• Size class: 36-72ft
• Native Habitat: s​​tream banks, ditches, tanks, low ground, and other areas of wet soil throughout Texas.
• Bloom time: April-May

Growing Conditions 

• Light:
  • Sun, partial shade, shade
• Soil:
  • Moisture: Moist, wet
  • CaCO3 Tol: Low
  • Description: Clay, Loam, Sand
• Water use:
  • High
• Condition comments:
  • Short-lived and fast-growing. Susceptible to insect and wind damage.

Benefits:

• Ornamental: Fall conspicuous, fast growing, shade tree
• Wildlife use: The bark, tender twigs and buds are food for browsers such as deer, rabbits and beaver
• Medicinal: The bark of the roots is intensely bitter and used to be an ingredient of spring tonics to purge the blood
• Good for woodworking
• Fragrant
• Interesting foliage 
• Pollinator attractant
• Larval host
• Specific value to native bee, honey bees and bumblebees

Drawbacks: 

• Susceptible to deep browse