About
Betula medwediewii 'Gold Bark' is a sizable, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 10 meters. Its canopy is conical to rounded, supported by sturdy, dense branches. The foliage consists of glossy, broad leaves that are a rich green. The bark, along with older branches, showcases a pale gold hue, while the autumn foliage offers a bright yellow display. In May, it produces large catkins that start as yellow and transition to brown.
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
- Sand, Loam, Clay, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Neutral, Alkaline, Acid
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- wider than 8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden
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
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1; birches bleed heavily, prune only when fully dormant from late summer to before mid-winter
- 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