Elaeagnus commutata, the silverberry[4] or wolf-willow, is a species of Elaeagnus native to western and boreal North America, from southern Alaska through British Columbia east to Quebec, south to Utah, and across the upper Midwestern United States to South Dakota and western Minnesota.

[5][6] It typically grows on dry to moist sandy and gravel soils in steppes, meadows or woodland edges.

[7] These plants are fast-growing[8] shrubs or small trees growing to 1–4 meters (3+1⁄2–13 ft) tall and 2–5 m width.

The leaves are broad lanceolate, 2–7 centimeters (3⁄4–2+3⁄4 in) long, silvery on both sides with dense small white scales.

Traditionally the fibrous bark of this tree has been twisted to make strong ropes, and woven into clothing and blankets[14][full citation needed] According to Arthur W. Bailey, "In rough fescue grasslands, silverberry at 1,000 stems per acre increases forage production.