Salix fragilis, Crack willow

Salix fragilis or Crack-willow is large tree with broadly domed crown and thick bole with a large base.

This tree is growing next to a small pond in Highfield Country Park. It has multiple stems and big spread. The spot was shady overgrown with sycamores but as a large tree it receives plenty of sunlight towering them. The soil conditions were damp.

The Crack-willow bark is dull grey brown covered with thick interlocking criss-crossed ridges.

 Its branches are arising from low down of the base.

Its leaves are long, glossy with toothed margins and widely spaced on the shoots. Their lower surface is less glossy compare to the upper one and the leaves have short green petioles.

The male catkins are yellow, pendulous and open at about the same time as the leaves in spring. The female catkins are green, again pendulous and are produced on separate trees.