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BETULA
Commonly known as Birch
Genus of about 60 species of deciduous trees and shrubs from varying habitats throughout the northern hemisphere.
Graceful in habit (lady of the woods), ornamental bark, colourful autumn foliage, attractive male catkins and an open crown make this a superb choice for a garden tree for even modestly sized gardens. Autumn leaves decompose quickly.
The UK species are silver, downy and dwarf and are all important wildlife trees.
Countless uses in history including canoes, writing material, beer and wine and bark gaiters.
Further Reading....
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Deciduous - mid- to dark-green toothed leaves. Male and female flowers appear in spring in separate catkins on the same tree. Male catkins are usually yellow-brown, pendent and longer than the females.
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Tree - grown for decorative bark, graceful form and autumn leaf colour.
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Full sun -
Partial shade - prefers light, dappled shade. -
Additional Features - Good to know - - one of the 'pioneer' species which quickly colonise bare ground. Most are tolerant of very exposed positions. Wildlife plant - birds and insects. A wonderful airy tree for medium-sized gardens. -
Pests & Diseases - birch borers, birch leaf mining sawfly, birch rust, mildew. -
Place of origin - northern hemisphere. -
Soil Conditions - Fertile moist well-drained soil - - will also succeed in less-fertile moist soil.
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Wildlife - Rabbit Resistant -
Betula - Growing Guide
Trees - Care Guide
- How to plant a tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- How to plant a tree
- Ties - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Restaking fallen young trees - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Fallen old tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Clearing up fallen beech tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Spring pruning - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing side shoots - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Pruning and Shaping Magnolia - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Deer protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Weed Spraying - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing Ivy - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing wire protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Tree Survey - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Crown uplift - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing shoots below graft - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing peeling bark - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Maintaining variegation - Video Tip ondemand_video
Buy Varieties of BETULA
BETULA alleghaniensis >
Commonly known as: Yellow birch.
Peeling amber or golden brown bark and long ovate leaves which turn yellow in autumn
BETULA ermanii >
Commonly known as: Erman's birch, Russian rock birch.
Trunk yellowish-white turning brownish yellow after peeling
BETULA ermanii 'Grayswood Hill' >
Commonly known as: Birch.
Good creamy-orange bark and rich golden autumn colour
BETULA ermanii 'Mt. Zao Purple' >
Commonly known as: Birch.
The bark has a base colour of purple overlaid with creamy-orange and striped
BETULA 'Fascination' >
Commonly known as: Birch.
Peeling deep orange bark. Pyramidal shape. Leaves turn yellow in autumn
BETULA nigra >
Commonly known as: Black birch, River birch.
Purplish orange bark in more mature trees
BETULA pendula 'Laciniata' >
Commonly known as: Swedish birch.
(syn. 'Dalecarlica') - daintily cut leaves and very pendulous branchlets although branches are not weeping
BETULA pendula subsp. pendula 'Purpurea' >
Commonly known as: Purple birch.
Pendent branchlets, purple-tinged bark and dark purple leaves
BETULA pendula 'Youngii' >
Commonly known as: Young's weeping birch.
Small weeping tree with pendulous branches and usually no leading stem
BETULA 'Royal Frost' >
Commonly known as: Purple birch.
White stem, reddish leaves at first turning to a dramatic yellow in autumn
BETULA utilis ssp. jacquemontii >
Commonly known as: Himalayan birch.
Beautiful white bark especially when viewed in winter from a distance
BETULA utilis ssp. albosinensis 'China Rose' >
Commonly known as: Chinese red-barked birch.
New form. More solid orange-red colouring to trunk
BETULA utilis ssp. albosinensis 'Pink Champagne' >
Commonly known as: Chinese red-barked birch.
Beautiful pale pink peeling bark softened with a white bloom. A slender tree with a spreading crown
BETULA utilis ssp. jacquemontii 'Grayswood Ghost' >
Commonly known as: Birch.
Brillliant white bark and glossy leaves
BETULA utilis ssp. jacquemontii 'Jermyns' >
Commonly known as: Himalayan birch.
Snowy-white bark and showy yellow catkins 6 ins or longer
Useful extras...
Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50
Vermin & Pest Control
Tree Guards
Essential small tree protection from vermin and strimming. This pack includes 5 x 90cm canes and 5 x 90cm spiral guards. Includes instructions.
Only £5.00
Garden Goodies
Slate Plant Labels
These wonderfully tactile natural slate plant labels are hand made in Cornwall and come with a chalk pen.
Just stick them in your pot or border. Pack of 6.
Only £10.20
Garden Goodies
Slate Tie-on Plant Labels
Hand made in Cornwall, these delightful natural slate labels are perfect for pots.
Comes with chalk pen. Pack of 5
Only £10.20
