Willow (Salix spp.) is composed of 170 to 400 species native to Eurasia [60], South America [1], Central America [19] and North America [87]. All species look alike microscopically. The word salix is the classical Latin name for willow.
Other Common Names: Dudley willow, Goodding willow, southeastern black willow, swamp walnut, swamp willow, tall black willow, western black willow, willow.
Distribution: Throughout the eastern United States, from the Atlantic coast west to Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
The Tree: Black willow trees reach a height of 140
ft (43 m), with a diameter of
4 ft (1.2 m).
General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of black willow is light tan, while the heartwood is pale reddish brown to grayish brown. The wood has no characteristic odor or taste. It is soft, but does not splinter when dented; uniform in texture; and weak in bending and crushing.
Weighta
Weight
Moisture Specific lb/ft3 kg/m3
content gravity
Green 0.36 50 801
12% 0.39 26 417
Ovendry 0.41 NA NA
aReferences: specific gravity, green and
12%, (98); specific gravity, ovendry,
(59); weight, (59).
Mechanical propertiesa
Property Green Dry
MOE 0.79 106 5.45 GPa 1.01 106 6.96 GPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
MOR 4.8 103 33.1 MPa 7.8 103 53.8 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
C| | 2.04 103 14.1 MPa 4.10 103 28.3 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
C 0.18 103 1.24 MPa 0.43 103 2.96 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
WML 11.0 75.8 kJ/m3 8.80 60.7
in-lb/in3 in-lb/in3 kJ/m3
Hardness NA NA NA NA
Shear| 0.68 103 4.69 MPa 1.25 103 8.62 MPa
| lbf/in2 lbf/in2
aReference (98).
Drying and shrinkagea
Percentage of shrinkage
(green to final moisture
content)
Type of 0% MC 6% MC 20% MC
shrinkage
Tangential 8.7 6.5 2.7
Radial 3.3 2.1 0.9
Volumetric 13.9 11.5 4.8
aReferences: 0% MC, (98); 6% and 20%
MC, (90).
Kiln drying schedulea
4/4, 5/4, 8/4 10/4 12/4 16/4
Condition 6/4 stock stock stock stock
stock
Standard T10-F4 T8-F3 NA NA NA
aReferences (6, 86).
Working Properties: Black willow is classed as one of the most difficult woods to machine. It glues very well and readily accepts finishes. It rates moderately high in shock resistance and low in nail-holding ability, but it does not split readily because of its interlocked grain.
Durability: Rated as slightly or nonresistant to heartwood decay.
Preservation: No information available at this time.
Uses: Factory lumber, veneer, box lumber, pulpwood, furniture, paneling, interior trim, cabinetry, artificial limbs, fiber board, slack cooperage, excelsior, novelties, toys, wooden shoes, polo balls and carvings.
Toxicity: No information available at this time.
Additional Reading: 29, 53, 55, 68, 74. 55, 66, 68, 74, 79. 28, 29, 42, 43, 44, 48, 50, 55, 56, 68, 72, 73, 74, 79, 92, 97, 102. 74, 75, 77, 99, 106. 101. 82, 104.