Crack Willows

A line of newly pollarded Crack Willows on the Somerset Levels. Left to their own devices these willows can grow to 25 metres but when planted alongside the rhynes (Somerset for drainage ditch) they would fall over long before the reached any height, so they are pollarded every few years. On some roads that flood over the levels, the willows are the only way you know where the road is!

[GaryW]

Very interesting! Some new words for me..."pollarded" and "rhymes" Why are they planted there in the first place?

[Bep]

Nice picture. Willows like these are pollarded here as well.

[Julienne Jones]

@thewatersphotos one reason is that the roots help to stabilise the banks of the rhynes and they thrive in the wet conditions.