Black Willow
Salix nigra Marsh. Saule noir

Description
Black Willow is a small, multi-branched tree, best identified by its long and narrow, pointed leaves, with a small wing-like leaf at the base of each leaf stem.

Habitat
Black Willow thrives in wet and moist areas along the banks of streams, rivers, and lakes. The lower St. John River system is the only place it is found in the Maritimes.
Shade Tolerance: Low
Moisture Preference: High
Soils: Sandy-loam
ph Level: Neutral
Salt Tolerance: Moderate
Pollution Tolerance: N/A
Hardiness Zone: 4

Aesthetics
Form: Small tree with many upreaching or sometimes spreading branches.
Foliage: The deep green, long, narrow leaves are attractive.
Bark: The bark is dark and deeply cracked or furrowed, becoming shaggy with age.

Planting Benefits
Black willow is moderately fast growing and especially suited to moist or wet soils. It is not readily available from nurseries but can be grown from branch cuttings.
Erosion: Very well suited for planting along streams, rivers, and islands, or other wet stabilization projects.
Windbreak: Suitable for companion plantings on wet soils.

Wildlife
Different parts of the bark, twigs, buds, and foliage are eaten by snowshoe hare, beaver, white-tail deer, moose, and many birds.

Uses and Lore
The native people used the bitter bark of the Black Willow to soothe headaches, fevers, arthritis, and rheumatism. The bark contains salicin or salicylic acid, which was copied to make aspirin.