Crack willow
Salix fragilis
- Description: Usually a deciduous tree which grows
up to 20 m, less often tall shrubs with large crown. The bark is grey, grey-brown, coarsely fissured in older trees. - Leaves: The alternate, lanceolate leaves are 15 cm long with a finely serrated margin, they're finely hairy. The leaves are bald, bright green, on the reverse side bluish. The additional leaves are deciduous after developing the leaves.
- Flowers: The flowers are produced in numerous catkins.
- Use: The Crack willow is not steady, so it is used
as common fire wood. - Fruits: The green cones are in bunchy infructescence. The small light brown cotton-tufted seeds are disseminated through wind.
- Growing conditions: Light loving tree, preferring humid soil and enough nutrients.
- Habitat: The centre of its habitat is Europe, except of North- and South Europe and Asia Minor. It is an authentic tree in the territory of Slovakia creating integral part of the soft riparian forests together with the White willow.
- Characteristic features: It can be distinguished from the White willow (Salix alba) pursuant to its leaves that are not hairy.