Goodding's Black Willow

Carried by 9 nurseries

Estimated plant range Estimated plant range

Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Plant description

Goodding's Black Willow (Salix gooddingii) is a common native tree that grows throughout the state in wetland areas. It has a moderate growth rate and is moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 15-40 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are green and bloom in the early spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in streamsides, at elevations from sea level to 2,000 feet. It performs in a wide variety of locations, from the south coast to the central valley and perennial streams in desert areas. It tolerates some alkalinity and salinity as well as generally poor water quality. Due to its size and water requirements, this is not a common garden tree but is useful in restoration projects, bioswales, and other constructed wetlands. Like other willows it is an important wildlife plant.

Plant overview

Plant type

Tree

Size

15 - 40 ft Tall
25 ft Wide

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate, Fast

Dormancy

Winter Deciduous

Color

Green

Flowering season

Spring, Winter

Special uses

Water features or wet habitats

Landscaping information

Sun

Full Sun

Water

High

Summer irrigation

Keep moist

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 10° F

Soil drainage

Slow, Standing

Soil description

Tolerates a variety of soils as long as adequate moisture is present. Tolerates sodic soil..
Soil PH: 5.0 - 8.0

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment. Use fresh seeds (usually only viable a few days). Seeds should not be covered or pressed into a medium. Seedbed should be kept saturated for the first month. Easily propogated from cuttings.

Sunset Zones

5, 6, 7*, 8*, 9*, 10, 11, 12*, 13*, 14*, 15, 16, 17, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Natural setting

Site type

Streamsides, marshes, seepage places, washes, meadows

Plant communities

Coastal Sage Scrub, Creosote Bush Scrub, Foothill Woodland, Valley Grassland, Wetland-Riparian

Companion plants

See all

Use with other wetland-riparian plants appropriate to the planting locations, including Maple (Acer spp.), Alder (Alnus spp.), Ash (Fraxinus spp.), Cottonwood (Populus spp.), Sycamore (Platanus racemosa), Mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia), Dogwood (Cornus spp.), Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), Currant/Gooseberry (Ribes spp.), wild rose (Rosa spp.), Blackberry (Rubus spp.), and wild grape (Vitis californica or girdiana)