Silver Birch or Betula pendula has gleaming white trunk and stems that look good in winter with yellowing leaves in autumn that add seasonal colour. As a native British tree birches are good for the environment and encourage wild life.
Growing Silver Birches
- In a large garden a full grown Silver Birch can offer shelter to smaller less robust trees and shrubs.
- Silver Birch prefer light sandy soil but are quite tolerant of most soil conditions.
- Normally cultivated to above 30 feet tall Silver Birch seek out light, bright conditions.
- Small ‘whips’ or sapplings can be planted in Winter or Autumn and mature trees seed quite freely.
- The branches can be tied together to make a beesom. The timber is white and used for craft work and furniture making.
- A weeping Silver birch Betula pendula ‘Youngii’ produces a dome shaped or mushroom headed tree of lesser proportions.
- The purple leaved Betula pendula ‘Pupurea’ may be sought out as an ornamental specialty.
- Betula pubescence or Common White Birch has a reddish tinge to the bark and prefers damper soil.
Other Birches to Consider
- The Betula papyrifera is a striking larger tree with white bark. Sometimes sold as Paper Birch or Canoe Birch the bark can peel and has appeal.
- For large catkins try the more shrubby Betula medwediewii with corrugated leaves that turn yellow in Autumn.
- The best large tree may be the Betula ermanii with pinkish white trunk and orange branches.
- At Westonbirt Arboretum you can see many Birches including Dahurica, Alleghaniensis and Utils. Make a visit to see them in situ before you choose a plant for yourself.
- For more information on native birch trees read Celebrating Birch
I already have a betula jaquemontii in my garden planted purely for its bark, and I want to plant another 2 next to it in a triangular shape. What is the closest I can plant them I am considering as close as 3 feet apart- I don’t need the height, but want the effect of the white trunks in winter.
I’d welcome your comments.