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Moonshine Designs Nursery Located in Milan, Illinois 309-756-1967 Fax: 309-756-1058
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Black Willow
Salix nigra
Zone: 4-8
Also known as Black Willow and Marsh Willow. Vigorous growth to 35 ft. Bark is dark brown to
black, with yellowish branches. Pale green, 5 inches long leaves spring through
fall. Native to central and eastern
United States. Excellent as A WETLAND PLANT for
use in bogs, swampy areas, along streams and rivers to prevent soil erosion.
If you have a low, wet area in your yard, this tree will actually "dry up" that
area.
Black Willow is an unusual willow. Of the more than 50 species of willow
inhabiting the US, only four are what you could properly call trees, and of
these four, only the Black Willow is a native to the US. The others coming
originally from Europe or Asia.
In addition to its size and floodplain habitat, the Black Willow
can be distinguished from other willows by its dark blackish-brown bark, which
is what gives it the name of Black Willow. The leaves are typically
shaped willow leaves, between 3 and 6 inches long and between 1/4 and 5/8th of
an inch wide. They are a slightly lustrous bright green on the upper surface and
a slightly lighter green on the bottom surface.
In colonial times this was the preferred wood for making charcoal for black
gunpowder.
Willow also has a number of more traditional uses. The smaller flexible twigs
were often used in basketry by both Native Americans and the European colonists.
In times of hunger the softer inner bark, the "bast", was dried and ground into
a flour. Although very bitter it provided nourishment and a source of vitamins
and minerals.
In colonial times the bast was brewed into tea which was considered a specific
against malaria and a poor man's alternative to quinine. The tea was also
considered a good spring tonic - "good for what ails ya'".
If a measure of how good it is for you is how bad it tastes, then willow bark
tea must be one of the most efficacious tonics around.
Modern herbalists cite the glycosides salicin and populin contained in willow
bark as a reason for recommending the same bark tea for the reduction of
inflammation in joints and membranes, for treating
headaches, fevers, neuralgia, and hay fever. Since the salicin and populin are
excreted as aspirin-like compounds they are also considered useful for reducing
bladder and urethral irritability. It is said that before aspirin was
available people used to chew willow twigs to relieve a headache. We do
not endorse eating your trees!
Do not plant close to septic tanks or sewer lines as the roots will invade! If you have a low, wet area in your yard, this tree will actually "dry up" that area.
2-3' trees. Grown in containers. Shipped bare root to semi bare root depending on season.
Black Willow Gallon size Item Number: 10254
Black Willow 2-gallon size. Multi-Branched and pruned. 48''-72" +. Shipped semi-bare root. Item Number: 02152
