About
Betula 'Polar Bear' is a substantial deciduous tree that can reach heights of over 12 meters. Its robust branches support a striking white bark that forms at a young age. The foliage consists of dark green leaves that transition to yellow in the fall. In spring, this tree produces yellow-brown catkins.
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, 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, Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- wider than 8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Will grow in a wide range of situations, in full sun or part shade. Best on neutral to acidic soils, but will grow with less vigour on a good chalk soil. For more information, see tree cultivation
- 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