Leaves are alternate, simple, long and thin.
This small tree is often shrub like and forms dense thickets on newly formed sand bars. It is common throughout Iowa. The sandbar willow is the pioneer tree on newly formed soils along streams and has a dense, fibrous root system valuable for protecting soil against water cutting.
The leaves are very narrow (1/4 to 3/8 inch) and pointed at both ends, and are more slender than the other willows. They are smooth, yellow-green above, pale beneath and not glossy. The leaves have widely spaced marginal teeth.
The brown buds are 1/8 inch long and sharp pointed. The twigs are slender, gray to dark orange and smooth. The fruit is a catkin with light brown capsules 1/4 inch long. The bark is smooth and light gray-brown on young stems. On trunks it is dark gray to brown and smooth or very shallow fissured.
Last Update: January, 2001