[2][3][4] Salix triandra is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 10 m (33 ft) tall, usually multistemmed, with an irregular, often leaning crown.

Young bark is smooth grey-brown, becoming scaly on older stems with large scales exfoliating (like a plane tree) to leave orange-brown patches.

The flowers are produced in catkins in early spring at the same time as the new leaves, and pollinated by insects.

It is one of the most important willows for this purpose after Salix viminalis, with several selected cultivars including: 'Black Maul', 'Grizette', 'Mottled Spaniards', 'Sarda', and 'Yellow Dutch'.

[2] Woven withies have been used in the creation of the large outdoor sculpture "Willow Man", located near Bridgwater in England.