How many different types of birches are there?
There are 40 different Birches including Himalayan Birch, Betula utilis which has white bark without the fissures Betula platyphylla and Betula szechuanica are species common in Asia. Paper Birch has flaky bark that was used in tanning Betula papyrifera. Silver Birch can be confused with Downy Birch Betula pubescence
What zone do silver birch trees grow in?
Weeping silver birch trees grow best in large gardens as shade trees. The arching canopy, oval shape, and slender silvery trunk look stunning as a landscape tree. Silver birch trees are suitable for growing in USDA zones 2 through 7. The deciduous trees prefer full to partial sun and growing in well-draining ground.
What colors do birch trees come in?
Birch trees have spectacular fall colors that can be golden yellow, vibrant orange, or fiery red. Common birch trees get their names from the bark’s distinctive colors, which can be white, silver, black, gray, or yellow. Common species of birch include the white birch, silver birch, and paper birch.
What is the best birch tree to grow in a garden?
val bourne Birch trees are popular garden trees due to their decorative trunks and dainty foliage that lets dappled sunlight through A small weeping birch Himalayan birch (Betula utilis var. Erman's Birch (Betula ermanii) River birch (Betula nigra) Silver birch (Betula pendula) Downy birch (Betula pubescens)
What's the difference between silver birch and birch?
Not to be confused with: Silver birch (Betula pendula) and the two easily hybridise. Silver birch has hairless and warty shoots whereas downy birch shoots are covered in small, downy hairs. The bark of downy birch isn't as white and papery as silver birch.
Which is the whitest silver birch?
Most nurserymen will go on to name the second most popular tree as Betula utilis var. jacquemontii, (see above) whose bark is the whitest of all in the Betula genus.
How many species of birch tree are there?
birch, (genus Betula), genus of about 40 species of short-lived ornamental and timber trees and shrubs of the family Betulaceae, distributed throughout cool regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
How can I tell what kind of birch tree I have?
Typically, you can identify birch trees by their bark, leaves, and flowers. For example, some birches have thin peeling bark that exfoliates in long strips, whereas some species don't peel. Also, birch leaves can be egg-shaped, triangular, or diamond-shaped.
What is the prettiest birch tree?
6 Birch Trees with Gorgeous Fall Foliage01 of 06. River Birch Tree. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova. ... 02 of 06. Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) ... 03 of 06. Gray Birch (Betula populifolia) ... 04 of 06. Young's Weeping Birch (Betula pendula Youngii) ... 05 of 06. Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) ... 06 of 06. Sweet Birch (Betula lenta)
Why are birch trees planted in threes?
Height. One possible reason people plant silver birches in groups of three is to reduce their height. In the wild, this tree can attain 100 feet, making it too tall for many backyards and gardens.
Is there a small silver birch?
Small birch trees for containers and small gardens Silver birch and Himalayan birch are both available as columnar 'Fastigiata' varieties, which have a much smaller spread than other birch trees and are ideal for smaller gardens.
Which birch tree is best?
1. European White Birch (Betula pendula) The European White Birch is a favorite in gardens worldwide and is known by many names including the common birch, silver birch and lady birch. A native to the UK, this elegant tree is also a great fit for American gardens.
How can you tell a silver birch?
How to identify. Birches are easily recognised by their white, papery bark. The Silver birch has 'drooping' branches and triangular leaves, with jagged teeth that grow from hairless leaf stalks. The leaves of the similar Downy Birch grow from hairy stalks and more rounded; it also has more upright branches.
Are there different types of birch wood?
Silver birchRiver birchPaper birchBetula pubescensHimalayan BirchBetula nanaBirch/Lower classifications
When can you prune silver birch trees?
Silver birch trees are best trimmed around autumn time when they are not actively growing.
Are aspen and birch trees the same?
Quaking Aspens are often confused with birch trees. Although aspen are somewhat similar in appearance to some species of birch, birch trees belong to an entirely different family of trees. Birch are famous for having bark that peels back like paper; aspen bark does not peel.
Key Features of the Silver Birch
Latin name Betula pendula other common names Curly birch, Paper Birch, Weeping Birch or Ribbon Tree
Uses and Commercial Attributes of the Silver Birch
Used for making barrels and furniture. The wood is too soft for use in construction
Gardeners Tips for the Silver Birch
Silver Birch grow in a cool climate and enjoy an occasional winter snowfall.
Other types of Birch and Species
There are 40 different Birches including Himalayan Birch, Betula utilis which has white bark without the fissures
Silver Birch comments from elsewhere
Birch is believed to protect against evil spirits and the evil eye but it also symbolises love and fertility. In medieval times, a bundle of birch twigs was carried by the local magistrate on his way to court as a symbol of his authority and as a means of correction.
How big does a silver birch get?
It grows to 7 ft. tall and 3 ft. wide.
Why is my silver birch tree prone to erosion?
Not much grows beneath it because the weeping form blocks much of the light from under the tree. Slopes surrounding the area under the silver birch are prone to soil erosion due to lack of ground cover.
What color are the betula pendula leaves?
The weeping form atop the Betula Pendula trunk with stark white bark draws your eye when its foliage has dropped. The tree’s light yellow catkins hang lazily against its dark green leaves in the spring. These green leaves eventually turn a bright yellow in the fall, contrasting with the striking bark. There is not a season without a visual delight.
What is the best tree to plant in a garden?
An easy way to introduce this into a landscape design is by planting the Silver Birch ( Betula pendula). The silver birch is a cool climate tree that is known for its pleasing aesthetic.
Why isn't there much growth under birch trees?
Not much grows beneath it because the weeping form blocks much of the light from under the tree. Slopes surrounding the area under the silver birch are prone to soil erosion due to lack of ground cover. Finally, in some areas of the country, the silver birch is considered invasive .
What temperature do birches grow in?
The plant does best in cool climates where it does not get warmer than 75 o F and where snowy, wet winters are the norm. It grows in USDA Zones 2-7 . Birches do not thrive in the heat and humidity and will suffer in areas lower than zone 7.
Is silver birch good for humid areas?
There is not a season without a visual delight. However, there are some issues worth considering before planting a silver birch. As noted, the tree prefers cooler conditions, so it is not ideal for areas that suffer from high humidity and warm summers.
What is a silver birch tree?
Silver Birch Botanical Description: Silver Birch Trees are fast growing, attractive trees. Their trunks are pale in colour with black notches that create deep, diamond shaped fissures along the white bark. Birch is a pioneer species, which is usually one of the first to colonise a site.
What are the best birch trees?
Silver Birch Tree Good / Bad Points: 1 Grows very quickly and easily. 2 It does not have a dense crown and allows light through. 3 Its bark and golden autumn leaves are very attractive. 4 It is also tolerant of heavy and damp soil, (but prefers well-drained) and is very hardy. 5 Suitable for all sizes of gardens and for sites where mature woodland is required quickly. 6 The seed is very fertile and a mature Birch can produce hundreds of viable tiny seeds which germinate across the garden.
What is the meaning of birch bark?
In Siberia, tribal peoples, such as the Khanty still use birch bark to make containers for food, and peel off strips of the under bark to use as tinder for fires; the tree is not harmed.
What is the relationship between birch and fungus?
Birches have a symbiotic relationship with fungi and often develop large bracket fungi on their trunk, called Polypores. Birch also has a close relationship with Scots Pine, growing alongside them in Caledonian forests. With Scots Pine, Birch is our oldest British native tree; after the Ice Age, they were the first to spread over the countryside.
How many seeds can a birch produce?
The seed is very fertile and a mature Birch can produce hundreds of viable tiny seeds which germinate across the garden.
What is the best tree for woodpeckers?
A favourite nesting tree for the uncommon Lesser Spotted woodpecker, Silver Birch is used by hundreds of species insects, especially when the tree is dead but remains standing, which often occurs with Birch.
How long do sage trees live?
It's one of the shortest-lived native trees only living between 40-60 years and when young the bark appears redder, slowly changing white as the tree matures.
What are the colors of birch trees?
Birch trees have spectacular fall colors that can be golden yellow, vibrant orange, or fiery red. Common birch trees get their names from the bark’s distinctive colors, which can be white, silver, black, gray, or yellow. Common species of birch include the white birch, silver birch, and paper birch.
What are the differences between birch trees?
For example, white birch trees have more pronounced teeth on the leaf margins. River birch leaves tend to have a diamond shape, whereas gray birch leaves are more triangular-shaped.
How to identify birch trees?
Typically, you can identify birch trees by their bark, leaves, and flowers. For example, some birches have thin peeling bark that exfoliates in long strips, whereas some species don’t peel. Also, birch leaves can be egg-shaped, triangular, or diamond-shaped. This article is a guide to identifying common birch trees.
Why is the Betula tree called the White Birch?
The paper birch tree was used to make canoes. That’s why the Betula papyrifera tree is also called the canoe birch tree. Its brilliant white bark is the reason it’s called the white birch.
What does birch bark look like?
Birch tree bark is usually whitish-gray, silver, or sometimes red. The bark on most birch trees has horizontal dark streaks that look like scoring (called lenticels). Birch tree bark is also well-known for its paper-like texture and peeling nature. The peeling bark on birch trees gives them ornamental value in wintertime.
How to tell if a birch tree is aspen or birch?
Another way to tell birch trees apart from aspen trees is by their leaves. Birch leaves tend to be triangular or spear-shaped with noticeable serrated margins.
Why is a sweet birch called a sweet birch?
The sweet birch tree gets its name from the scent of wintergreen in the twigs, bark, and leaves. The other common names of Betula lenta refer to other features of the tree. For example, ‘black birch’ due to its dark bark color. ‘Cherry birch’ and ‘mahogany birch’ because of the way the bark looks on mature birch trees. And ‘spice birch’ due to the aromatic wintergreen scent it emits.
1. Bog Birch Tree
While this species is technically a birch tree, it looks more like a shrub than a tree. It only grows to five to ten feet. These trees don’t live very long, either, but they do tolerate occasional flooding and all different types of soil, making them a suitable option to grow where other plants simply won’t.
2. Yellow Birch Tree
The Yellow Birch is named after the color of its bark. However, the bark really isn’t that yellow. Instead, it takes on a darker, silver coloration. Strangely, the tree is also known as the Golden Birch – once again for its not-so-yellow bark.
3. Water Birch Tree
This birch species has a unique golden-brown bark that distinguishes it from its other birch cousins. Plus, their bark also does not peel like other birch trees. They are typically found along streams and other wet areas in the mountains.
4. Cherry Birch Tree
The Cherry Birch is a relatively large tree that grows as a single, large trunk. It has attractive, yellow foliage that makes it a common choice for lawns and other planted areas. The bark is a red-brown coloration, which sets it apart from other birch trees as well.
5. Dwarf Birch Tree
As the name suggests, this tree is rather small. It can grow to as little as six inches, making it one of the smaller trees on this list. They are native to colder regions, where all plants tend to be a bit smaller. They can be found in cool temperate areas but are also somewhat common in tundra areas.
6. Silver Birch Tree
When most people think of cultivated birch trees, they likely think of the silver birch. his tree has distinctive white bark that peels in papery strips, which most people imagine when discussing birch trees.
7. Weeping Birch Tree
There is actually no such thing as a weeping birch. However, you’ll often find trees labeled as such at greenhouses and nurseries. Instead of being its own species, this tree is actually a variant of the silver birch, which humans bred for aesthetic reasons.
What is a silver birch tree?
A native silver birch is a good choice for a wildlife garden as the tree supports over 300 species of insects, including buff tip moths and angle shades moths. The seeds are eaten by birds such as greenfinches and siskins.
What is birch bark?
Birches are hardy, resilient and adaptable trees and some have silk-sheened, pallid bark that sparkles in winter sunshine . This pale bark contrasts brilliantly against the dark tracery of twiggy branches overhead and in winter these trees can look like finely chiselled charcoal sketches. The branches also cast a magic-lantern pattern ...
How tall can a Chinese red bark birch get?
It can reach 60ft (20m) and the warm-brown bark has a darker mahogany underside, this can be seen once the bark peels away. The best named form 'Septentrionalis', commonly known as the Chinese red-barked birch, has a grey-pink trunk, copper-pink branches and matte leaves.
What is the difference between a multi stemmed and a weeping variety?
A multi-stemmed variety will create an impact and are well-suited to small gardens without room for multiple trees, while a weeping variety with have the spread without the height.
What to plant in a tree for ghostly form?
Seek out these medium-sized trees from specialist tree nurseries and then add a carpet of vibrant spring-flowering plants to flatter their ghostly form. Choose either deep-pink Cyclamen coum, or dusky hybrid hellebores or purple crocus - keeping the planting simple.
Can birch trees be understorey?
For this reason, spring-flowering plants are more-suited as understorey plants because they can perform before dry conditions take hold. Read on to find out about the different types of birch trees available in the UK.
Is it good to plant river birch in well-drained soil?
But this American species needs moisture in order to thrive, so it’s no good planting it on well-drained soil or in drier areas of the country.
Key Features of The Silver Birch
Origins and Distribution of The Silver Birch
Uses and Commercial Attributes of The Silver Birch
Gardeners Tips For The Silver Birch
Other Types of Birch and Species
- There are 40 different Birches including Himalayan Birch, Betula utilis which has white bark without the fissures
- Betula platyphylla and Betula szechuanica are species common in Asia.
- Paper Birch has flaky bark that was used in tanning Betula papyrifera.
- Silver Birch can be confused with Downy Birch Betula pubescence
Silver Birch Comments from Elsewhere