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Black willow

Salix nigra · Salicaceae

The gardener's calendar

The right move for September

In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around black willow and prepare for winter.

JFMAMJJASOND Planting

ID card

Foliage
Deciduous
Flowering
Spring (April-May)
Adult size
15 to 20 m tall, spreading form
Growth
Fast
Hardiness
Very hardy (down to -25°C)
Origin
North America (eastern region)
Soil type
Fresh to moist, well-drained
Exposure
Full sun

Care

Watering

Black willow appreciates fresh, moisture-rich soils. Water regularly during the first year after planting to encourage root establishment. Once established, it tolerates moisture variations well but grows more vigorously near watercourses or in moist soils. Avoid prolonged waterlogging, however.

Exposure

Plant black willow in full sun for optimal growth and compact form. It tolerates partial shade but develops less vigorously there. Sunny exposure also intensifies the foliage color.

Pruning and training

Prune in early winter (November-December) or late winter (February-March), before growth resumes. Remove dead, misaligned, or crossing branches to maintain an airy structure. Black willow tolerates pruning well and recovers quickly from it. Avoid severe pruning during the summer period.

Soil and planting

Prefer moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Black willow tolerates slightly acidic to neutral soils and adapts well to loamy or sandy soils. At planting, enrich the hole with compost or potting soil. Moderate mulching helps maintain moisture without creating excessive humidity at the collar.

Fertilizing and nutrition

A moderate application of well-decomposed compost in spring is generally sufficient. Black willow isn't demanding of chemical fertilizers. If growth seems slowed, a diluted balanced fertilizer can be applied early in the season, particularly in poor soils.

Diseases and pests

Black willow is generally vigorous and not very disease-prone. Watch for aphids and leafhoppers that may colonize young shoots. Leaf spots or anthracnose can occur in very humid conditions: improve air circulation through appropriate pruning. Regularly inspect the trunk to detect any cankers.

Did you know?

Black willow is intimately linked to Native American culture and traditions of many North American tribes, who used its bark and branches in traditional medicine. Its wood, light and flexible, long served to make baskets, drum hoops, and other handcrafted objects. Today, black willow remains an emblematic tree of American wetlands and riverbanks, valued for its crucial role in stabilizing soils and preventing erosion.

Where to buy it

Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.

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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.