AMERICAN WILLOWAmerican black willow is a Southern States species, usually associated with water and is just one of many willow species. LATIN NAMESalix nigra OTHER COMMON NAMESblack willow, swamp willow |
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FOREST DISTRIBUTION
COMPARE SPECIESAmerican black willow trees grow naturally in the Central and Southern States mainly along the Mississippi river and beside lakes. The best trees of willow can grow very tall and straight but with relatively small diameter and may be multi-stemmed.
MATERIAL AVAILABILITY
COMPARE SPECIESWillow is only available on a regional basis mainly in the southern States and in limited volumes of sawn lumber in export grades. It is primarily produced as thinner stock (4/4") so the availability of other thicknesses may be more limited. Veneer may also be available from specialist suppliers.
WOOD DESCRIPTION
COMPARE SPECIESThe wood of willow has a fine and even texture. The grain may straight or interlocked and may present attractive figure. The narrow sapwood varies according to site conditions and is light to creamy brown in colour but can be almost white. The heartwood is distinct ranging from pale reddish brown to greyish brown and can be quite dark. Burls and swirls in the grain are natural characteristics and are not considered defects.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
The wood of willow is light in weight and soft. It is weak in bending strength, compression, shock resistance, stiffness and has low steam bending classification.
0.39Specific Gravity(12% M.C.) |
4,173kg/m3Average Weight(12% M.C.) |
11.50%Average Volume Shrinkage(Green to 6% M.C.) |
53.80MPaModulus of Rupture |
6,960MPaModulus of Elasticity |
28.30MPaCompressive strength (parallel to grain) |
0NHardness |
Oiled / Un-Oiled Appearance
COMPARE SPECIESPERFORMANCE
COMPARE SPECIES
● Willow works fairly well with machine and hand tools, but care is needed to avoid a fuzzy surface when interlocked grain is present. It nails and screws well and has excellent gluing properties and can be sanded and polished to a very good finish. It dries rapidly with minimum degrade, although it may be susceptible to moisture pockets. Willow shrinks as it dries but its dimensional stability is good when dry.
● The wood is non-resistant to heartwood decay and resistant to preservative treatment. The sapwood is permeable.
MAIN USES
COMPARE SPECIESBlack willow is used for furniture, joinery and interior mouldings. It can be used stained as a light coloured substitute for walnut.