Gooddings Willow. Salix gooddingii, Family Willow ( Saliaceae ), Gooddings Willow. Also Called: Black Willow, Valley Willow, Dudley Willow, Western Black Willow. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Large deciduous tree. Arizona's largest willow. Its long narrow green leaves are willow-like. Its female flowers are small and green. The yellow male flowers are longer catkins. They appear in April. They followed by cottony seeds in capsular fruits. Native near the waterways in the Mojave Desert. It likes moderate water and sun. Does best in the desert. It is easy to grow for landscaping. It is said to grow above 5,000 feet, but we have never witnessed that claim. Quick Notes: Height: Height to about 40 - 50 feet. About 35 feet wide. Trunk: Up To About 2 1/2 Foot Thick. A single trunk sometimes with a few branches. Each branch can be 8" - 10" in diameter. Bark: Dark gray - brown, rough. Stems: Slender, initially green turning light brown - gray. Flowers: Female flowers are small and green. The yellow male flowers are longer catkins. They bloom strongest in April - May. Flowering Time: April - May. Fruit: Clusters of red - brown seeds about 1/2 inch long hang down in groups of 5. Seeds may persist for several years. Leaves: Willow like leaves. lanceolate, finely toothed, and green on both sides, 2 - 5 inches long, 3/4 to 1 inches wide. Found: Native to the USA (AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, TX, UT). Also native to northern Mexico in northern Sonora, northern Chihuahua, Baja Norte, Baja California, & Coahuila. Hardiness: Usually found below Zone 8a. USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 �C (-40 �F) USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 �C (-35 �F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 �C (-30 �F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 �C (-25 �F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 �C (-20 �F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 �C (-15 �F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 �C (-10 �F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 �C (-5 �F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 �C (0 �F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Elevation: 0 - 7,000 Feet. But, usually found below 5,000 feet. Habitat: Found along washes and other riparian areas throughout southwest USA, and Mexico, Landscape Plant In Some Areas. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken Near Date Creek, Arizona On June 16, 2003.