About
A graceful, weeping deciduous tree reaching up to 6 meters tall, featuring pinkish, exfoliating bark. Its dark green foliage shines throughout the growing season, transitioning to yellow as autumn approaches.
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
- Loam, Sand, Clay, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Neutral, Alkaline, Acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing, East-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Architectural, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Will grow in a wide range of situations including by water or in well-drained soil. Prefers an acidic to neutral soil, although will tolerate slightly alkaline 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