Salix nigra
Black Willow

Mature Height: 30-140'     Longevity: 85 years

5-9 Water Range
Soil moisture tolerated by tree

4-9 Temperature Range
Hardiness Zones in which tree naturally occurs.

DEFENSE     Soil Moisture Key
5: Naturally occurs along watercourses and areas with wet soils. FACW+ to OBL.

9: High level of flood tolerance.

DEFENSE (from Distribution Maps)
National Audubon Society (NAS) Map: (NORTH) Solid Z5 w/ significant presence in Z4 in interior US. (SOUTH) Solid Z8.

Peterson Field Guide (PFG) Map: (NORTH) Same as NAS. (SOUTH) Solid Z8 but appears to extend deep into Z9 in TX.

8   Sun Strength

1   Shade Strength

DEFENSE
Growth Rate:
Succession:
Soil Range:
Salt Tol.:
Allelopath:
Avg Height:
Max Height:

Click here for Key
7.3 = Rapid-Very rapid*
+.7 = Pioneer Specialist
-.3 = 1 Minor*
+.2 = Moderate
0 = No
-.2 = 48'
+.1 = 140'

DEFENSE
Shade Tol.:
Succession:
Soil Range:
Salt Tol.:
Allelopath:
Avg Height:
Longevity:

Click here for Key
1 = Very intolerant
-.4 = Pioneer Specialist
-.3 = 1 Minor*
+.2 = Moderate
0 = No
-.1 = 48'
-.5 = 85 years

TOTAL SCORE (7.8): *Only ".3" deducted for soil range because tree will grow on most any soil so long as it is very wet.

TOTAL SCORE (-0.1): Very intolerant tree that is very short lived & typically not very tall w/ a limited range of soils on which it occurs.

2   Fire Strength

1   Wind Strength

DEFENSE
Base Score: none-low (Big Tree)= 2-3
Only assigned a 2 because tree can grow to be quite large in some areas so does not fit well into small tree category. Lowest value for big tree assigned.
Final Value = 2

DEFENSE
Base Score: ???
Very weak wooded, shallow roots & subject to windthrow guarantee assignment of lowest value.
Final Value = 1