• Wet clay soil is considered a problem area in landscapes since it is not conducive to the healthy growth of a wide variety of plants and trees. The soil in wet ground remains saturated for extended periods of time in the growing season. This commonly occurs in areas with high water tables, lowlands and around streams, rivers and ponds. There are a number of trees that are well adapted to growing in such soil.
  
  

Willow Tree

• Willow tree (Salix) is a native of Europe and Western and Central Asia and is commonly found in the wet, rich soil of marshes, woods, and stream and river banks. The tree does not grow well in shade and prefers moist and wet soil, and full sun. The tree has lance-shaped, long, fine toothed foliage and produces flowers in the form of lax, slender catkins. Willow trees can easily be propagated with partially mature cuttings in summer or from hardwood cuttings in winter. The bark and foliage of the willow tree are also used for their medicinal properties. In many cultures, willow leaves are used as a substitute for tea.
  
  

Baldcypress

• Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum var. distichum) is a hardy deciduous tree which thrives near streams, rivers and creeks. Baldcypress is also a common sight in swamps and slow moving water. Due to its ability to survive in wet clay soil, baldcypress is considered very important for swamp ecosystems as a valuable source of wildlife food and habitat. The roots of the baldcypress produce distinct cone-like extensions, referred to as knees, that grow outward from the water and help the tree to breathe in wet soil. Baldcypress trees can grow up to 100 to 150 feet in height. The needle-like, flat, one-half-inch to three-quarter-inch foliage is light green in color.
  
  

River Birch

• River birch (Betula nigra L.) is a lightweight tree that is very well adapted to growing in poor, wet soils. The tree is very resistant to heat and many common tree diseases. River birch has small, dense branches with light green, triangular foliage that gives it a delicate appearance. In the wet soil of its natural habitat in the wild, the tree germinates rapidly and forms thickets. River birch has a fast growth rate and a deep root system, which makes it valuable for erosion control on banks. Birch trees are also among the trees with roots that produce mycorrhizae, which are important in obtaining nutrients for reclaiming degraded, poor soils.