Salix scouleriana is a deciduous shrub or small tree, depending on the environment, usually with multiple stems that reach 2 to 7 metres (6+1⁄2 to 23 ft) in height in dry, cold, high elevations, and other difficult environments, and 10 to 20 m (33 to 66 ft) or more in favorable sites.

Stem bark is thin, gray or dark brown, with broad, flat ridges.

The leaves are oblanceolate to elliptic, 5–12.5 centimetres (2–5 in) long, mostly short-pointed at the apex and tapered toward the base, with entire to sparsely wavy-toothed margins.

Germination, which is epigeal, begins to occur in 12 to 24 hours after seeds alight on wet ground.

[7] Mineral soil seedbeds are required for seedling establishment (Forest Practices Branch 1997).

[9] With few exceptions, it is the only willow found growing with other trees in upland Western forests.

[6] Scouler's willow protects the soil and helps return sites to forest cover following disturbances.

It is sometimes the most preferred food species for white-tailed, black-tailed, and mule deer, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep.

Small mammals, bears, upland game birds, and waterfowl feed to a lesser extent on leaves, buds, and seeds.

Fresh browse (twigs and leaves) contain 41% dry matter, 4% protein, 2% fat, 20.8% nitrogen-free extract, 11.2% crude fiber, and good quantities of mineral nutrients.

Seed can be stored in sealed containers under refrigeration for four to six weeks, but germination begins to drop rapidly after 10 days.

Seeds are broadcast on well-prepared beds that are kept continually moist until germination and seedling emergence.

[17] The Secwepemc people of British Columbia used the wood for smoking fish, drying meat, and constructing fishing weirs, the inner bark for lashing, sowing, cordage, and headbands, and decoctions of twigs for treating pimples, body odor, and diaper rash.