Family: Salicaceae, Willow view all from this family

Description Large tree with 1 or more straight and usually leaning trunks, upright branches, and narrow or irregular crown.
Height: 60-100' (18-30 m).
Diameter: 1 1/2-2 1/2' (0.5-0.8 m).
Leaves: 3-5" (7.5-13 cm) long, 3/8-3/4" (10-19 mm) wide. Narrowly lance-shaped, often slightly curved to one side; long-pointed, finely saw-toothed, hairless or nearly so; shiny green above, paler beneath.
Bark: dark brown or blackish; deeply furrowed into scaly, forking ridges.
Twigs: brownish; very slender, easily detached at base.
Flowers: catkins 1-3" (2.5-7.5 cm) long; with yellow hairy scales; at end of leafy twigs; in spring.
Fruit: 3/16" (5 mm) long; reddish-brown, hairless capsules; maturing in late spring.

Habitat Wet soils of banks of streams and lakes, especially flood plains; often in pure stands and with cottonwoods.

Range S. New Brunswick and Maine south to NW. Florida, west to S. Texas, and north to SE. Minnesota; also from W. Texas west to N. California; local in N. Mexico; to 5000' (1524 m).

Discussion This is the largest and most important New World willow, with one of the most extensive ranges across the country. In the lower Mississippi Valley it attains commercial timber size, reaching 100-140' (30-42 m) in height and 4' (1.2 m) in diameter. The numerous uses of the wood include millwork, furniture, doors, cabinetwork, boxes, barrels, toys, and pulpwood. In pioneer times the wood of this and other willows was a source of charcoal for gunpowder. Large trees are valuable in binding soil banks, thus preventing soil erosion and flood damage. Mats and poles made from Black Willow trunks and branches provide further protection of riverbanks and levees. Also a shade tree and honey plant.