Black willow

Overview

Black willow (Salix nigra) is a light, weak wood with poor machining behaviour. The Wood Database lists baskets, crates, utility wood, furniture and carvings among its uses. It is cheap in the East.

Pros

• Very economical; the Wood Database says it should be quite economical throughout its natural range.
• Light (about 415 kg/m3 dried).
• Glues and finishes well.
• Responds moderately well to steam bending.
• Used for baskets and carving.

Cons

• Very poor machining characteristics: low density and interlocked or irregular grain frequently give fuzzy surfaces or tear-out.
• Tends to develop numerous drying defects and can be difficult to season.
• Weak for its weight, soft (430 lbf) and non-durable to perishable.
• Shrinkage is 3.3% radial and 8.7% tangential, a high ratio of 2.6.
• The bark and other parts of the tree have been reported as sensitizers.

Variants and subspecies

• Black willow (S. nigra) is the species covered.
• Other willows are distinct species and are not covered here.
• Relatives in the willow family: Quaking aspen and Eastern cottonwood.

Working and finishing

With low density and interlocked grain, willow has very poor machining characteristics, frequently giving fuzzy surfaces or tear-out, per the Wood Database. It tends to develop drying defects and is difficult to season. It glues and finishes well, and responds moderately well to steam bending.

Staining and finishing colour

Heartwood is reddish or greyish brown, sometimes streaked; sapwood is white to tan. The Wood Database says it finishes well, but gives no stain guidance. Test any stain on offcuts.

Sustainability and handling

The Wood Database reports black willow as not listed in the CITES Appendices (checked 2026-09-30) or on the IUCN Red List; Wikipedia's page gives Least Concern (2017). US-grown timber is still covered by the Lacey Act, which as amended in 2008 prohibits trade in plants and timber taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of law (Wikipedia's summary of the Act); buy from dealers who can name the source. The Wood Database says the wood has few adverse effects, though the bark and other parts of the tree have been reported as sensitizers. The Wood Database's wood-dust article treats wood dust in general as an irritant or sensitizer and notes that fine dust can cause cumulative lung damage, so extract at the source and wear a respirator when sanding or machining.

Popular projects

Baskets, crates, utility wood, carvings, furniture and small specialty items, per the Wood Database.

Buying notes

The Wood Database says willow should be quite economical throughout its range. One seller lists FAS at $2.95 and #1 common at $1.75 per board foot. Inspect boards for warp and checking.