Salix nigra

Common Name
Black willow
Scientific Name
Salix nigra
Ground Cover
No
Evergreen
No
Plant Form
Medium Trees
Max Height (ft)
50.0
Region
Coastal
Piedmont
Mountain
Additional Info

Habitat: fresh tidal marshes, fresh tidal swamps, forested wetlands, floodplains, wet meadows; regularly to permanently flooded

Wildlife value: This is a larval host plant for several butterflies, including Eastern tiger swallowtail, Mourning cloak, Red-spotted purple, and Eastern comma. Its buds and catkins are eaten by birds.  It provides excellent leaf season cover for birds in wetland sites. Salix genus supports many species of specialized bees. Preferred food of ruffed grouse and pine grosbeak

Notes: Shrub-like. Good streambank stabilizer. Tolerates flooding; tolerates salinity to 0.5 ppt. Not suitable near houses - susceptible to breakage, and roots seek out pipes with water. Can be an aggressive spreader. This tree is included in the Homegrown National Park: Keystone Trees and Shrubs.

Light Requirements
Full sun
Partial sun
Shade
Moisture Requirements
Wet
Moist
Grassland Species
Yes
Riparian Buffer Species?
Yes
Riparian Buffer Zones
SF
E
RT
Flower Color
Gold/Yellow
Green
Flower Prominence
Conspicuous
Bloom Time
Spring
Bloom Month
March
April
Fall Color
Gold/Yellow
Deer Resitant
Yes
Low Maintenance
No
Good Choice for Public Spaces
Yes
Seed or Fruit eaten by wildlife?
Yes
Supports Pollinators
Yes