Native Trees of the Village of Euxton

The Crack Willow

Crack Willow - Salix fragilis, of the family - Salicaceae,
and it is related to other Salix.

It is a small, but rapid growing tree, which has twigs that
break off with a very sharp crack.   It can grow to a height of about 27m,  with an age of 200 years on average.  It is believed
to have grown for an age of up to 1000 years.

Its habitat is generally by streams.

It has a natural native distribution throughout the British
Isles with the exception of Ireland.

It is also found in Europe and across Asia to the Siberia.

It is naturally propagated by seeds that are wind dispersed
and by twigs blown off during storms and carried by streams
to be planted naturally.

It timber is of a pinkish colour, soft, light, brittle and
splits rather easily. The main uses of the timber are for
children's toys, artificial limbs and charcoal.

It was well used as a folk remedy for various ills, but the
active ingredient in it was salicylic acid, which is now
available as Aspirin.


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