Does anyone know of a tree we could plant in soil that stays really wet?

Question

where we live there is Hill behind our house so whe nit rains the water runs like a stream (lots and big ) off and down the side of our ho,e i am wanting to plant some shrubs and such that would take in this kind of soil that would not die because of all the water so i need something that is ok in wet soil

Answer 1

If the soil is really wet, nothing short of swamp cypress will grow.  Plant roots need oxygen and a constantly saturated soil doesn't have the soil oxygen.

Can you drain with French drains this area to reduce ponding or hasten runoff?

You also didn't tell us what Zone or area you live.  That would help with plant suggestions.  

Do you want trees or shrubs?  You mention both.

Tress would include various willow, alders, Swamp White Oak, maybe a hornbeam and sycamore.  Green ash tho those last two are falling under some major bug problems.  

Shrubs might incldue: p***y Willow, Purple Osier willow (Salix purpurea), Chokecherry, Red twig Dogwood (also called Osier Dogwood), and maybe it's cousin Yellowtwig dogwood (red needs sun to develop the striking stem color, yellows do better with some shade), Winterberry the deciduous holly, and American elder.

Answer 2

China berry trees and pecans love water. That is why they are always growing by creekbeds.

Answer 3

  I have noticed that weeping willow and bamboo grow well in wet areas.