The river bushwillow has pale grey to brown and fairly smooth bark that begins to flake on bigger stems, when the surface becomes rougher. The flaking exposes lighter patches of the under-bark.

Injured branches exude gum that may be used as wood varnish. Various parts of the tree have been used in traditional medicine. There is also a toxin in the seeds of Combretum erythrophyllum that holds danger for humans (Schmidt, et al, 2002; Coates Palgrave, 2002).