Black willow is the largest and only commercially important willow in North America. The wood is light, usually straight grained, and moderately high in shock resistance.
Seeds lose viability rapidly if stored at room temperature.
Refrigerated storage of moistened seeds for no longer than 1 month is recommended. Planted seedlings or cuttings should be protected from livestock, beavers, small rodents, and rabbits. Hardware cloth placed around individual plants will protect them from rodents and rabbits. Livestock should be excluded by fencing the entire area, and firebreaks should surround the revegetated area. Top and branch rot account for 86 percent of the cull in willow.