The leaves of Salix alba are simple and alternate and the margins have teeth. Among the simple, alternate-leaved trees, the genus Salix shares the unique character of a single visible outer bud scale, making the willows as a group relatively easy to recognize. In addition to the 7 species of willow trees listed in this web page there are 17 species of willow shrubs in Wisconsin. The willow species are difficult to distinguish and any "shortcuts" around the proven keys are likely to result in frequent errors. See the key to willows for helpful characters to identify the species, or try the more thorough keys in Michigan Flora vol 2. One of the key characters ot this species, glands at the leaf base, is illustrated above.

Salix alba is an alien species, planted and rarely escaping.