Salix nigra Marshall

Identification: "Large tree with 1 or more straight and usually leaning trunks, upright branches, and narrow or irregular crown. Height 60-100'. Diameter 11/2-21/2'. Leaves 3-5" long, 3/8-3/4" wide. Narrowly lance-shaped, often slightly curved to one side, long-pointed, finely saw-toothed, hairless or nearly so. Shiny green above, paler green beneath. Bark dark brown or blackish, deeply furrowed into scaly, forking ridges. Twigs brownish, very slender, easily detached at base. Flowers catkins 1-3" long, with yellow hairy scales at end of leafy twigs in spring. Fruit 3/16" long, reddish brown capsules, hairless, maturing in late spring. Habitat wet soils of banks and streams and lakes, especially flood plains, often in pure stands with cottonwoods" (Knopf, 1980).

There are no type specimens in existence for S. Nigra, and it is said that Marshall did not preserve specimens, but that his nephew may have placed some type specimens in an undisclosed location in England (Argus, 1986). An excellent description is included in Argus' book, which is cited in the my references.

Geography: "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" (Knopf, 1980). Fairly abundant on streams and along wetland habitats.

 The following photo was copied with permission from The University of Georgia's Herbarium.

Note: The S. nigra at Sam's Farm were pointed out to me by Elizabeth Skillen.

Natural History: The black willow thrives in moist, sandy environments along streams and riverbanks. It is not a shade tolerant tree, and large adults are often found singly, without smaller trees around. This shade intolerance is probably the main reason that the trunks are often leaning away from other trees. This willow often hybridizes with other willows including S. carolinensis, so that absolute identification may become difficult (Argus, 1986).

Economically, the lightweight bark of the black willow is important in manufacturing of plywood. In addition, the broad winding roots which pose a problem in cultivation are excellent means of preventing soil erosion along river banks (Newsholme, 1992).

How to Encounter: The black willow occurs along the banks of the wetland. Many large trees occur along the river bank south from the 1-hectare plot. The easiest way to distinguish this tree is to look for the dark, leaning trunk. If you can get close enough to examine the leaves, look for long, skinny leaves which are dark green above and green on the underside. This is the only tree-sized willow that will be encountered at Sam's Farm.