Willow, Black

The black willow is a large willow, attaining a height of 75 feet and a diameter of 2 feet or more. It has an irregular, open crown and frequently a cluster of main trunks. This is the largest and most picturesque of all our willows. It is only one of about 100 kinds of willows occurring in North America. All are very similar in appearance, and generally difficult to identify, even for experts.

The LEAVES are narrow (3/8 to 2/4 inch wide) and taper pointed, with long, sharp curved tips and finely toothed margins. They are shiny light green above, duller below and often velvety along the midrib. There are prominent leaf-like stipules at the base of the leaf stem. The BUDS are reddish brown. The TWIGS are reddish or orange-brown, slender and brittle.

The FRUIT is a catkin of small, light reddish brown capsules, 1/8 inch long, with tufted seeds. Willow trees are either male or female with flowers of different sexes borne on seperate trees. The female FLOWER hangs in long clusters or aments. Male and female flowers are borne separately in catkins on different trees. The SEED is carried far and wide by wind and water. On young branches the BARK is yellowish to reddish brown. On larger stems and trunks it is almost black, broadly ridged and shaggy or scaly.

The Patowatomi Indians made a fine scarlet dye from the roots of this tree. A tea brewed from the roots and bark was used as a substitute for quinine by the pioneers. Even today, willow charcoal is frequently used for manufacturing gunpowder. Light and flexible willow wood is used for wicker-work furniture and baskets. It does not split when nailed or dented. Before the discovery of plastics, toys were made from willow. Artificial limbs, packing cases and some furniture parts are also willow products. Like all willows, Black Willows aid in stream bank stabilization.