It also occurs in northwestern Canada, and in Norway and Russia,[3] as well as various alpine or mountainous areas of Eurasia.

The species is dioecious, with male and female reproductive parts occurring on separate plants.

[2] Thickets of the shrub occur on slopes and riverbanks in the Arctic, in alpine climates, and on tundra.

richardsonii), black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), alder (Alnus spp.

Natural regeneration of low-growing willows such as S. hastata was successful on moist riparian sites with silty soils, where they were mixed with the taller Alaska willow (S. alaxensis), and on dry sites with fine-textured soils.

[8][9] Native Americans used parts of willows, including this species, for medicinal purposes, basket weaving, to make bows and arrows, and for building animal traps.

[2] In Yukon, willow leaves were chewed to treat mosquito bites and bee stings, as well as stomach aches.