1. Native / Non-native Status
Native to the UK and much of Europe and western Asia.
2. Evergreen / Deciduous
Deciduous – leaves fall in autumn.
3. Appearance
Leaves: Narrow, lance-shaped, 8–15 cm long, with finely serrated edges. Glossy green above, paler beneath. Arranged alternately.
Bark: Grey-brown, becoming deeply fissured and rough with age.
Flowers/Fruit/Seeds: Male and female catkins appear in spring on separate trees (dioecious). Male catkins yellow with pollen; female catkins green. Seeds tiny, each with tufts of silky hairs for wind dispersal.
Overall shape: Medium to large tree with a broad, spreading crown. Branches often arching, brittle, and prone to snapping (hence the name “crack willow”).
4. Typical Size
15–25 m tall; spread 12–18 m.
5. Habitat & Range
Widespread across the UK, especially along rivers, lakes, and floodplains. Prefers damp or waterlogged soils but tolerates a range of wetland conditions.
6. Distinctive Features (ID tips)
Narrow glossy leaves, broader than white willow’s.
Brittle twigs and branches that snap easily with a loud crack.
Typically found near water.
7. Seasonal Changes
Spring: Catkins appear before or with new leaves.
Summer: Glossy green leaves form a dense canopy.
Autumn: Leaves turn yellow-green before falling.
Winter: Bare branches; broken twigs often litter the ground.
8. Human Uses
Traditionally pollarded or coppiced for withies, fencing, and fuel.
Wood is soft, lightweight, and flexible; used historically for cart-making and crate work.
Known for its rapid regrowth after cutting.
9. Wildlife Value
Catkins provide early nectar and pollen for bees and insects.
Leaves feed numerous moth caterpillars.
Branches and fallen wood provide riverside habitat for invertebrates and birds.
Seeds eaten by small mammals and birds.
10. Fun Fact / Cultural Note
Crack willow was widely used in traditional rural landscapes for riverbank stabilisation and floodplain management.
The brittle twigs and branches mean old pollards often develop hollow, gnarled forms valued for their landscape character.
11. Planting & Care (Basic Instructions)
Best time to plant: Late autumn or early spring.
Soil: Prefers damp, fertile soils; tolerates waterlogged conditions.
Light: Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
Watering: Water regularly in the first few years; thrives naturally in wet ground.
Spacing: Allow 10–15 m between trees for mature growth.
Aftercare: Mulch to retain moisture. Responds well to pollarding or coppicing. Protect saplings from browsing.
12. Good for Urban or Garden Setting?
Urban: Rarely planted as a street tree due to brittle branches and large size, but useful in wetland parks and SuDS schemes.
Garden: Suitable only for large gardens or estates with ponds, streams, or rivers. Not appropriate for small gardens.