Black willow, Swamp willow, Goodding willow
Salix nigra
Family: Salicaceae
What it is like
A large tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 12-30 m high. The trunk is 30-80 cm across. The bark is scaly and often becomes rough. Young branches have scars from where twigs fell off. The leaves are narrow and sword shaped. There are very small teeth along the edge. The leaves are green on both surfaces. The flowers are separately male and female in catkins. The male catkins are 2-5 cm long.
There are about 300 Salix species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. Trees cannot tolerate shade. It grows to 1,500 m altitude in the southern USA. It suits hardiness zones 4-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Inner bark, leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.
Trees are fast growing. Trees live for 70 years.