Salix bicolor can reach a height of. This plant usually develop into a large shrub, but may grow as a multi branchedtree of up to 4 m height. Branches are glabrous, brown-reddish or chestnut color. Leaves are yellow-green, glabrous, elliptical or lanceolate with acuteapex. They are long and wide. The catkins are produced in early spring, before the leaves. They reach 3 × 1 cm, on long peduncles with lanceolate bracts. Like all willows, this species is dioecious. Flowers bloom from May to June.