Black willow

Black Willow (Salix nigra) is a species of willow native to eastern North America, from New Brunswick and southern Ontario west to Minnesota, and south to northern Florida and Texas.

Description

The Black Willow is a medium-sized deciduous tree, the largest North American species of willow, growing to 10–30 m tall, exceptionally up to 39 m, with a trunk 50–80 cm diameter. The leaves are alternate, simple, 5–15 cm long and 0.5–2 cm broad, finely serrated, and with a long, tapering tip; they are very variable in size, the largest leaves on vigorous young shoots, the smallest on older branches. The flowers are produced in catkins in early spring, and pollinated by insects. It is dioecious, with male and female catkins on separate trees; the male catkins mature yellow at pollen release, the female catkins mature pale green. The fruit is a small capsule 5–10 mm long containing numerous minute seeds embedded in cottony down which aids wind dispersal.

Habitat and Distribution

Black Willow is typically found along streams and in swamps. It prefers wet, fine sandy, or silty alluvial soils and is tolerant of poor drainage. It is a pioneer species, rapidly colonizing bare ground and areas cleared of vegetation. The tree is a common component of the vegetation along the Mississippi River and major tributaries, where it stands with bald cypress, water oak, and overcup oak.

Uses

The wood of the Black Willow is light and weak but is used for boxes, crates, and veneer. The tree's bark contains salicylic acid, the basis of aspirin, and has been used for centuries in folk medicine. The tree is also planted for erosion control and as a windbreak.

Conservation

The Black Willow is not currently considered threatened or endangered. However, like many wetland species, it is susceptible to changes in water levels and quality due to human activities such as dam construction, river channelization, and pollution.

See also

• Willow
• Salix
• Deciduous trees
• North American trees

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