Salix alba, commonly known as White Willow, is a fast-growing, medium-sized to large deciduous tree native to riparian zones, wetlands, and moist woodlands across Europe and western and central Asia. It can reach heights of 10–30 meters with a trunk diameter up to 1 meter, and it typically develops an irregular, often-leaning crown. The bark is grey-brown and deeply fissured on older specimens, while the leaves are notable for their silvery-white undersides, which give the tree its common name. White Willow flowers are catkins, which are not particularly showy but are important for early-season pollinators.

The White Willow is valued for its rapid growth and ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it suitable for erosion control and riparian plantings. Its flexible twigs have historical uses in basketry and living willow structures. In cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade and can tolerate a range of soil drainage conditions, from fast to slow, as long as the soil remains consistently moist. It is often used in large gardens, parks, and for naturalizing in wet areas. However, gardeners should be aware of its potential to spread aggressively through root suckers and its susceptibility to diseases such as willow scab and pests like the willow beetle.CC BY-SA 4.0