About
This large, deciduous tree is uncommon in gardens and features drooping branch tips along with finely cut, diamond-shaped leaves. Its white bark peels away, darkening to a rough black texture at the trunk's base as it matures. In early spring, it produces yellow-brown catkins, and its foliage transforms to yellow in the fall.
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
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Pendulous weeping
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or light shade
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed of known wild origin (most cultivar seed will produce hybrids), or by softwood cuttings in summer or grafting in winter
- 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