About
This deciduous tree features a broad crown that can reach up to 8 meters in height. Its bark starts as a rich chocolate-brown, evolving into a mix of bronze, copper, and light brown tones as it ages. The leaves are oval-shaped and green, 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, 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
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or light shade. 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