Last week we looked at a tree that didn't fare so well during the August heat wave. This week, we are admiring the surprising hardiness of a tree that doesn't appear to show any damage. Below, we have pictures of our young black willow (Salix nigra).
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In December of last year, a black willow (Salix nigra) was added to the arboretum collection. It germinated in an inundated old boot, found in an ice chest, in the back of an inoperable pick-up truck parked in Haughton, Louisiana. Since this specimen was growing so happily in water, it seemed like a gamble to plant this black willow in a lawn, rather than at the water's edge.
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Today, it's as if we never had anything to worry about. Our black willow looks excellent! Given the harsh growing conditions in August, we would at least expect the black willow to be shorter in stature or to have fewer leaves. Instead, we have a young tree that is showing rapid development. It measures approximately 9 feet tall.
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During the several weeks in which the arboretum's irrigation system was out of order, a water hose was brought out to this tree once a week for a thorough soaking. The nearest spigot is located in the background, on the exterior wall of Cline Hall.
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This young tree has one major trunk and two thinner stems, which will most likely be pruned to encourage the single trunk. This species can develop as a tree or a shrub.
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The twigs and petioles have a pretty pinkish-red coloration.
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Leaves are long and narrow, tapering to a sharp point. Some leaves are curved. Here we have four leaves, measuring between 5 and 7½ inches. This is the upper side of the leaf.
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Underneath, leaves have the same green coloration, but the mid-rib is noticeably white.
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For more information about this species, please consult the following online resources:
Louisiana Plant Identification and Interactive Virtual Tours
NC State Extension
United States Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Forest Service
