About
Betula lenta is a conical-shaped tree that grows up to 15 meters in height. Its bark starts as a dark red and transitions to a dark grey as it matures. The tree features aromatic shoots that bear yellow-green leaves, each reaching lengths of up to 10 centimeters, which turn yellow in the fall. In early spring, it produces yellow-brown male catkins that can grow up to 8 centimeters long.
About the genus
Betula comprises both deciduous trees and shrubs, known for their vibrant autumn foliage and distinctive bark that can be white, pink, or brown and peeling. In spring, male and female catkins emerge separately, preceding or coinciding with leaf growth.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- wider than 8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- E N America
- Fragrance
- Bark
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Tolerant of a range of soil conditions from dry to wet but does prefer sheltered woodland conditions. See tree cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1; birches bleed heavily, prune only when fully dormant from late summer to before mid-winter
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings or grafting
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to birch borers, leaf-mining sawflies and aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus, a tree rust and powdery mildews