Goodding’s Willow (Salix gooddingii)

Goodding’s Willow

(Salix gooddingii)

Stan Shebs

CC BY-SA 3.0

Image By: Stan Shebs

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Salix gooddingii, commonly known as Goodding’s Willow, is a deciduous tree native to riparian zones, wetlands, and occasionally found in adjacent woodlands and desert oases in the Southwestern USA and Mexico. It can vary greatly in size, typically growing to 3 to 30 m (9.8 to 98.4 ft) tall. Goodding’s Willow has a distinctive appearance with thick, furrowed, shreddy bark and a profusion of thin branches. The leaves are lance-shaped, up to 13 cm long, and finely serrated along the edges, with young leaves often coated in hairs. The flowers are arranged in catkins up to 8 cm long, blooming in early spring and providing an early source of pollen and nectar for insects.

Goodding’s Willow is valued for its ability to stabilize stream banks and for its wildlife habitat benefits, supporting a variety of birds and insects. It is used in restoration projects, as well as in naturalistic garden settings. This tree thrives in full sun and requires high amounts of water, making it suitable for wet areas in the landscape. It adapts to a range of soil types, provided they have fast or medium drainage. While it is not commonly afflicted by diseases, it can be susceptible to willow beetle infestations. Due to its extensive root system, it should be planted away from septic systems and structures to avoid potential damage.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Tree
Height: 20-40 feet
Width: 15-35 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: N/A
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: High, Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fire Resistant, Low Maintenance, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Riparian zones, wetlands, and occasionally adjacent woodlands and desert oases

Other Names

Common Names: Goodding’s Black Willow, Dudley Willow, Gooding Black Willow, Western Black Willow, Valley Willow

Scientific Names: , Salix gooddingii, Salix gooddingii var. vallicola, Salix gooddingii var. variabilis, Salix nigra var. vallicola, Salix gooddingii var. gooddingii, Salix vallicola, Pleiarina gooddingii, Salix gooddingii subsp. vallicola,

GBIF Accepted Name: Salix gooddingii C.R.Ball