The Arroyo Willow is a common site in creek and riverbed Chaparral and mixed sage scrub. It is a commonly in a shrub form  but can easily shaped to tree proportions. The leaves are a dull green  with white  perpendicular midveins and fuzzy beneath. The twigs are a reddish  brown and accent the leaves  which turn in the fall. The tree is useful to many bird and butterfly species.