About
Betula pendula, the silver birch, is one of the most elegant and graceful of all deciduous trees, forming a narrowly conical tree to around 25 m with slender, weeping twigs and striking, peeling white bark that becomes black and rugged at the base. Diamond-shaped, toothed, mid-green leaves turn yellow in autumn and yellow-brown catkins appear in early spring. A native British tree and an icon of northern landscapes.
About the genus
Betula, the birches, are deciduous trees and shrubs, usually with striking white, pink or peeling brown bark and light, airy crowns of toothed, often diamond-shaped leaves. Male and female catkins appear before or with the leaves in spring and the foliage typically colours well in autumn. Among the most graceful and ornamental of all trees.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitPendulous weeping
FoliageDeciduous
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toW Eurasia
Care notes
CultivationWill grow in a wide range of situations. Effective when planted in small groups or as a multi-stemmed specimen
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed, softwood cuttings or grafting
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to birch borers, leaf-mining sawflies and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus, a tree rust and powdery mildews