Navajo Willow is a conspicuous, symmetrical, common, and lovely tree commonly planted around homes in the Four Corners area.  It grows to forty feet tall with a rounded crown-spread of fifty feet. The young tree shown is about 15 feet tall and the rounded crown is beginning to spread.

Salix matsudana is perhaps an introduced species native to China. The exact scientific name of the species is a subject of some debate and confusion. Plant nurseries in the Four Corners area sell the tree under the following names: Salix matsudana Navajo; Salix matsudana Globe; Salix matsudana variety globosa; Salix matsudana variety umbraculifera, and Salix globosa. The plant may also be referred to as Salix babylonica, but the authoritative Flora of North America indicates that it uses the name S. babylonica only for Willows that weep.

The Arizona State University plant web site indicates, that the Navajo Willow is "thought to be originally a selection from a wild willow growing on the Navajo Reservation near Aztec, New Mexico".

"Matsudana" honors the Japanese botanist Sadahisa Matsudo. (More biographical information about Matsudo.)

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Salix matsudana