Willow Identification Key: Twigs not bright yellow Twigs not bright yellow Leaves 2.5-4.5 cm Leaves 2.5-4.5 cm wide, silky hairy when young. Silky: Refers to the feel of leaf (quick test: rub leaf between thumb and forefinger), this is hard to represent in a photograph) Leaves 1.25-2 cm wide Leaves 1.25-2 cm wide, only slightly hairy when young