Alternate name: Brittle Willow, Snap Willow

Family: Salicaceae, Willow view all from this family

Description Large, naturalized tree with widely forking branches and very brittle twigs.
Height: 80' (24 m).
Diameter: 2 1/2' (0.8 m).
Leaves: 4-6" (10-15 cm) long, 1-1 1/2" (2.5-4 cm) wide. Lance-shaped; ending in long point turned to one side; coarsely saw-toothed; teeth gland-tipped; hairless. Shiny green above, whitish beneath.
Bark: gray; rough, thick, deeply furrowed into narrow ridges.
Twigs: shiny brownish; erect or spreading; easily broken at base, with gummy buds.
Flowers: catkins 1-2 1/4" (2.5-6 cm) long; with yellow or greenish hairy scales; at ends of leafy twigs; in spring.
Fruit: 3/16" (5 mm) long; light brown capsules; maturing in late spring and early summer.

Habitat Escaping in moist soil along roadsides and streams and in clearings.

Range Native of Europe and W. Asia. Naturalized from Newfoundland to Virginia, west to Kansas, and north to South Dakota.

Discussion Called Crack Willow because the twigs easily break off at the base, especially in spring; the Latin species name also refers to the fragile twigs. Introduced in colonial times to provide charcoal for gunpowder and as a shade tree. If partly covered by soil, detached twigs or cuttings will form roots and grow into new plants.