Huge, sweeping and romantic, the white willow is a typical weeping willow. Spot it at riversides with leaves draped in the water where it feeds and shelters native wildlife.
Mature trees grow up to 25m. They often have an irregular, leaning crown. The bark is grey-brown and develops deep fissures with age, and twigs are slender, flexible and grey-brown.
The slender, oval leaves are paler than most other willows due to a felty covering of fine, silky white hairs on the underside.
Caterpillars of a number of moth species feed on white willow leaves, including the puss moth, willow ermine, eyed hawk-moth and red underwing. The catkins are an important source of early nectar and pollen for bees and other insects, and the branches make good nesting and roosting sites for birds.