About
Betula luminifera is a sizable deciduous tree, typically reaching heights of around 25 meters. Its bark is a glossy, dark reddish-brown resembling that of cherry trees, adorned with noticeable horizontal lenticels. The tree features broad, dark green leaves that exhibit a yellow hue in the autumn months. In mid-spring, it produces elongated catkins that are greenish-yellow in color.
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
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- wider than 8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- W China
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade but tolerant of a range of soil conditions. See tree cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by 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