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