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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.
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DeciduousMid- 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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TreeGrown for decorative bark, graceful form and autumn leaf colour.
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Full sun -
Partial shadePrefers light, dappled shade.
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Additional Features
Good to knowOne 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 & DiseasesBirch borers, birch leaf mining sawfly, birch rust, mildew.
Place of originNorthern hemisphere. -
Soil ConditionsFertile moist well-drained soilWill also succeed in less-fertile moist soil.
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WildlifeRabbit Resistant
- 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 albosinensis 'Red Panda'
striking copper-red bark
Gift-wrapping available
BETULA dahurica 'Maurice Foster'
shaggy bark which is red when young
BETULA ermanii
trunk yellowish-white turning brownish yellow after peeling
BETULA ermanii 'Grayswood Hill'
good creamy-orange bark and rich golden autumn colour
Gift-wrapping available
BETULA ermanii 'Mt. Zao Purple'
the bark has a base colour of purple overlaid with creamy-orange and striped
Gift-wrapping available
BETULA 'Fascination'
peeling deep orange bark. Pyramidal shape. Leaves turn yellow in autumn
BETULA nigra
purplish orange bark in more mature trees
BETULA nigra 'Heritage'
shaggy bark with cream and brown tints
Gift-wrapping available
BETULA pendula
Gift-wrapping available
BETULA pendula 'Laciniata'
(syn. 'Dalecarlica') - daintily cut leaves and very pendulous branchlets although branches are not weeping
BETULA pendula subsp. pendula 'Purpurea'
pendent branchlets, purple-tinged bark and dark purple leaves
Gift-wrapping available
BETULA pendula 'Tristis'
tall tree with pendulous branches
BETULA pendula 'Youngii'
small weeping tree with pendulous branches and usually no leading stem
BETULA 'Royal Frost'
white stem, reddish leaves at first turning to a dramatic yellow in autumn
BETULA utilis ssp. jacquemontii
beautiful white bark especially when viewed in winter from a distance
Gift-wrapping available
BETULA utilis 'Nepalese Orange'
smooth, glossy, coppery-orange bark
Gift-wrapping available
BETULA utilis ssp. albosinensis 'China Rose'
new form. More solid orange-red colouring to trunk
Gift-wrapping available
BETULA utilis ssp. albosinensis 'Pink Champagne'
beautiful pale pink peeling bark softened with a white bloom. A slender tree with a spreading crown
BETULA utilis ssp. jacquemontii 'Grayswood Ghost'
brillliant white bark and glossy leaves
BETULA utilis 'Wakehurst Place Chocolate'
dark chocolate-brown bark
BETULA utilis 'Werrington'
a white-barked jacquemontii
Useful extras...
