[2][3][4] It is the largest willow found in British Columbia.

[5] It is a deciduous large shrub or small tree growing to 4–15 metres (13–49 ft) tall.

The leaves are narrow elliptic to lanceolate, 4–17 centimetres (1+1⁄2–6+1⁄2 in) long and 1–3.5 cm (1⁄2–1+1⁄2 in) broad, glossy dark green above, usually glaucous green below, hairless or thinly hairy.

The flowers are yellow catkins 1–9 cm (1⁄2–3+1⁄2 in) long, produced in late spring after the leaves emerge.

[3][4][6] The subspecies are:[2][3][4] It is closely related to Salix pentandra of Europe and Asia.