About

Betula pendula subsp. pendula 'Golden Beauty' is a medium-sized, deciduous birch characterized by its pyramidal growth habit and serrated foliage. The leaves display a golden hue, while the tree features smooth, silver-white bark. It can attain a height of approximately 7 meters and exhibits good resistance to leaf scorch.

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 shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Loam, Sand, Clay, Chalk
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline, Acid
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect
West-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Trees
Habit
Spreading branched
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
4-8 metres
Spread
4-8 metres
Time to full height
20-50 years
Suggested uses
Architectural, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Cultivation
Will grow in wide range of situations and will not scorch in full sun. 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