One of many small willow species that occur in the region, pussy willow is easy to identify in the very early spring, when its fuzz-covered flowers begin to develop. The hairs help protect the flowers from the cold. A little later in the spring, they will expand and be functional catkins. The trees can reach a height of up to 6 m. The many other species of small willow are harder to tell apart without reference to a botanical key. All of our willows are usually found in wet areas.