Wood Species Guide
Black Willow
Salix nigra
Also called: Willow, Swamp Willow, American Willow, Southwestern Black Willow
About the name “Black Willow”
Florida's most common native willow is Coastal Plain willow (Salix caroliniana), a smaller tree with similar wood. Black willow grows in north and central Florida and across the eastern US, and is the main willow sold as lumber.
What Black Willow looks like
Heartwood is light reddish brown to grayish brown, sometimes with darker streaks, and the sapwood is nearly white. Some boards show a pinkish tone.
Grain and texture
Usually straight, sometimes interlocked grain with a fine to medium, even texture.
Working Black Willow: planing, cutting and gluing
Soft and light, so it cuts easily, but fuzzy surfaces are common unless tools are very sharp. It glues and nails well without splitting and carves nicely.
Finishing Black Willow: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes stain and oil reasonably well; a conditioner helps avoid blotch. Sand lightly after the first coat to knock down fuzz. Seal before epoxy so the soft fibers don't release air.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Not durable and susceptible to insects. Movement is moderate. In Florida, keep it indoors and finish both faces.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Black willow is common along Florida's rivers and lake edges, and it grows and falls fast. The wood is soft and plain, but it carves easily and wide slabs can make a rustic bench or shelf. It is a budget utility wood, not a durable outdoor choice. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Black Willow
Carving, baskets (from shoots), crates and boxes, utility furniture, artificial limbs historically, and turned objects.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Rated Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Respiratory / asthma
The wood itself has few reports. Bark and other parts of the tree are reported sensitizers that can irritate skin and airways.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + mask when sanding; strip bark first
- Food contact
- Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
The wood itself is rarely a problem, but willow bark and other parts have been reported as sensitizers, causing skin and airway irritation. Remove bark before heavy sanding and use dust collection and a mask.
Black Willow in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Black Willow listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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