The willows are considered a botanist's nightmare - their reproductive habits are reckless, producing numerous, confusing hybrids. Most of the tree species will occasionally be shrubby and the shrub species may reach 20 to 25 feet. It is quite easy to sort the willows from other hardwoods but it is very difficult to sort them from each other. The willows are fast-growing with bitter, astringent bark and lightweight, soft wood. Twigs and branches are often jointed near their bases so they break off easily.
Leaves are long and narrow lance-shaped.
They are, except for a few hybrids, dioecious - that is, each tree is either male or female. On most species, the flowers open well before the leaves and are usually pollinated by insects. The willows are considered good early bee trees. Its natural range covers the southeastern edge of Canada and the eastern U.S. from Maine to Wisconsin, south into northern Florida, across most of Texas and into Mexico. It is water-loving and thrives in rich bottomland and along stream banks where it may reach 80 feet in 15 years.