Salix caroliniana
Carolina willow
Southeastern United States and tropical America
Overview
Salix caroliniana is a deciduous large shrub or small tree of the southeastern United States and tropical America, growing 15-30 feet (4.5-9 m) tall and 10-20 feet (3-6 m) wide, sometimes with several leaning trunks. The bark is rough and gray-brown, and the slender branches carry narrow lance-shaped leaves 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, green above and whitish beneath, with small toothed edges and a pale midrib. Like other willows it is dioecious, bearing slim yellow-green catkins 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long in spring as the leaves expand, with male and female catkins on separate trees. S. caroliniana grows along rivers, lake and pond shores, swamps, ditches, and other wet ground from the Coastal Plain inland, where its roots bind soil and tolerate flooding. It needs consistently moist soil and declines in dry sites. The wood is weak and the branches break in storms, and the roots can clog drains and septic lines, limiting use near structures. Bees gather pollen and nectar from the catkins, and the foliage feeds caterpillars of several butterflies and moths. Plants are hardy in USDA zones 6-10 and resprout quickly from cut stumps and broken branches.
Native Range
Salix caroliniana is native to the southeastern United States, from the Mid-Atlantic and lower Midwest south to Florida and Texas, and through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It grows along rivers, streams, lake and pond margins, swamps, and wet ditches, mostly on the Coastal Plain.Suggested Uses
Used in streambank and shoreline stabilization, wetland restoration, and large rain gardens or naturalized areas with steady moisture. It is planted 10-20 feet (3-6 m) apart and away from drains, septic lines, and foundations because of its spreading roots. The tree gives quick shade and cover for birds and other wildlife near water.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height15' - 30'
Width/Spread10' - 20'
Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years
Bloom Information
Catkins open in spring, from March to May, as the new leaves expand. Male and female catkins occur on separate trees and are slim and yellow-green, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long. They supply early pollen and nectar for bees and other insects.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
green above, whitish beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Salix caroliniana grows in full sun with 6 or more hours of direct light and consistently moist to wet loam, sand, silt, or clay at pH 5.5 to 7.5. It tolerates seasonal flooding and saturated soil but declines where the ground dries out. The species is hardy in USDA zones 6-10 and grows fast where water is steady. The weak, brittle branches shed in wind and create regular litter. It suckers and self-seeds along wet ground and can spread into a thicket.Pruning
Pruning in late winter while dormant removes deadwood and crossing or storm-damaged branches and reduces breakage. Salix caroliniana resprouts strongly from cuts and can be coppiced or pollarded to limit size. Large wounds heal slowly and can admit decay, so cuts are kept to smaller branches.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter