• often found near creeks and marshes
  
• sunny areas

• shrubs or large trees
  
• long, droopy branches
  
• single, hood-like covering over buds
  
• end bud is false

• generally very narrow and lance-shaped
  
• usually fine-toothed
  
• dark, shiny green on top and lighter green underneath

• flowers are called catkins and are usually 1-3 inches long
• fruit are small brown capsules on catkins that contain tiny seeds

The gracile branches can be bunched together to form a mat-like willow bed that can be rolled up and easily carried. The packed bed weighs no more than five pounds. The springy wood of this tree makes it ideal for use in constructing the bow of a bow drill, useful for igniting a pile of tinder. It can also be used to make both the bow and the arrow used for bow fishing. A young green sapling can make an excellent hunting-bow stave because of its flexibility and an efficient arrowshaft due to its light weight. The bark can be shredded to make cordage. Willow can also be used to craft snowshoes to make hiking in winter weather much more efficient. The leaves can be boiled to make a yellow dye for fabric.