Strong medium-size tree with a round crown, usually formed from a few heavy boughs. The yellowish brown young twigs are sometime slightly red. They stand at a rather obtuse angle to the older branches. Initially hairy, they quickly become hairless. The twigs break easily which is a namesake feature of the tree in various languages. However it is not the only species whose twigs break easily, so this feature is not crucial. The glossy dark green leaves give the tree a healthy appearance. The catkins ripen in April/May. They are yellow-green and 3 - 6 cm long, the female catkins turning light brown at the fruit stage. Grows on almost any soil, including infertile. Tolerates wet to marshy soil. This makes the tree suitable for river banks, including as a pollard willow.