It is spread throughout Europe and Asia in almost every temperate region. The silver birch
Betula pendula
Betula pendula, commonly known as silver birch, warty birch, European white birch, or East Asian white birch, is a species of tree in the family Betulaceae, native to Europe and parts of Asia, though in southern Europe, it is only found at higher altitudes. Its range extends into Siberia, C…
Where in the US do birch trees grow?
Relatively short-lived trees (from 80 to 140 years) and generally of medium size, birches are emblematic of the northern woods of the United States, though native birches can be found in nearly every state. Fifteen birch species are found, mostly in the nation's cooler regions.
Where do birch trees grow best?
Because birch are shallow-rooted, they prefer a location where the soil remains cool and moist while exposing the canopy to ample sunlight (about 6 hours daily). The ideal spot is the north or east side of a building, where the tree will receive full sun in the morning and some shade during the afternoon.
Where do silver birch trees grow in the UK?
Silver birches prefer an open, sunny site. They are not too fussy about soil types, as they grow well in just about all soils, and will even tolerate occasional waterlogging.
What is the difference between a birch tree and a silver birch tree?
Both species of birch are fast-growing pioneer trees which readily colonise open ground. Silver birch is the faster growing of the two, and also the taller, reaching a height of up to 30 metres, whereas downy birch seldom exceeds 21 metres.
Why are birch trees planted in threes?
There are many varieties of Birch trees, and most of them grow better when planted in groups of at least three. They protect each other and keep each other from growing too tall and becoming out of hand. Birch trees also provide each other shade for their roots to remain healthy in moist soil.
What is special about birch trees?
Birch tree produces fruit called "samara" which can release around 1 million seeds each year. Seeds and bark of the birch are source of food for forest animals such as rabbits, deer and birds. Wood of birch tree is highly flammable. It can catch a fire even when it is wet.
Can I cut down a silver birch tree in my garden UK?
The answer is no, in the UK silver birch trees as a species are not protected although there are instances where individual trees or whole woodlands containing silver birch are protected. These protections are known as TPO's – Tree Preservation Orders.
Are silver birch native to UK?
There are two British native varieties of birch tree. The classic silver birch, Betula pendula, is native throughout Europe.
Is silver birch poisonous to dogs?
Betula pendula has no toxic effects reported.
Are silver birch trees good for the environment?
In fact, the silver birch is capable of removing 40 tonnes of C02 from air in 20 years, according to one study. Furthermore, BBC research showed that an avenue of silver birch trees planted along a busy urban road was responsible for reducing PMs by up to 60% in the homes of the residents living alongside them.
Is silver birch good firewood?
Silver birch is one of the prettiest firewood types as it's naturally light in colour and covered in a silvery bark that makes it a recognisable and popular choice.
How fast does a silver birch tree grow?
Birch trees grow quickly reaching 8m tall with a 3m spread in 10 years, 18m x 4m in 20 years and 25m x 10m ultimately. Mature trees form a narrow, conical shape with arching branches and hanging twigs. Birches are very hardy and tolerant of exposure.
Do birch trees need a lot of water?
Newly planted river birch can be sensitive to too little or too much water, so watering 30 seconds twice a week should be enough. The important thing to keep in mind is that the soil should be moist, which means not too dry or soaking wet. Once the tree is established, there is no need to water, except in a hot summer.
What kind of soil do birch trees like?
Birch trees grow best in acidic soils with a pH level between 5.0 and 6.5 and won't perform well in soils that are too alkaline. With alkaline soils, it's hard to maintain acidic conditions over the life of the tree, so it's best to do the initial planting in naturally acidic soils.
Do birch trees grow near water?
They grow naturally in wet environments along river and stream banks, so they are used to very moist soil. They will tolerate soil that is acidic, neutral, or alkaline, as well as poorly or well-drained soil. Though they do best in moist conditions, they tolerate drier soil better than other birch trees do.
What do birch trees need to grow?
It needs moist, cool soil, but also sunshine on its leaves to flourish. When planting a birch tree select a site that will shade its roots in the afternoon and still provide sun to canopy for much of the day. Mulching also helps to maintain soil temperature.
What is a birch tree?
The Birch tree is related to the famous Oak family and grows in the north part of the northern hemisphere. It has a large number of varieties. It has very typical flowers, which are clustered together and are known as the ‘catkins’. It has a green, oval or elliptical leaves with single or double serrations at the edges.
How fast do Birch trees grow?
Some feel that Birch grows fast, while others find it a slow-growing tree. This difference of opinion is because different varieties have different growth rates.
Why is my Birch tree turning black?
It is definitely a sign of an unhealthy situation for the Birch tree. You need to pay attention to this situation immediately and implement the corrective measure.
How do you keep a Birch tree small?
One cannot really morph a giant into a dwarf. But there are some simple and effective techniques, which can help reduce the height of the Birch tree to a reasonable extent.
Do Birch trees have invasive roots?
Except for the Betula nigra (River Birch), the roots of the Birch trees are invasive.
How tall does a betula lenta tree grow?
Betula Lenta, also known as sweet, black, cherry Birch grows to 40 -70 feet. Select a variety that will suit your requirement of height.
What is the fruit of a birch tree called?
The fruit of the Birch tree, called a samara, contains millions of seeds. The wood of the tree is highly flammable. It finds applications in making furniture, toys etc. The tree secretes sap which is used to make beer and wine in northern Europe, Russia and China.
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 is a silver birch?
Silver birch (Betula) Silver birches (Betula) are very much prized for their graceful appearance, particularly in winter when their gorgeous bark can be fully appreciated. Although called silver birch – silvery white isn’t the only bark colour available. They mainly produce light, open canopies, which doesn’t cast dense shade, ...
What is the whitest birch?
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii has the whitest of all birches and green leaves turning bright yellow in autumn.
What is a betula tree?
Betula pendula Tristis is a tall tree with silvery-white bark and blue-green leaves turning yellow in autumn.
What color is the bark of a purpurea?
Betula pendula Purpurea has the typical silvery-white bark. The foliage starts dark purple/red in spring, then turns purple/dark green throughout summer and finally bronze/purple in autumn. Young branches are also a deep purple.
Do silver birches like sunny soil?
Silver birches prefer an open, sunny site. They are not too fussy about soil types, as they grow well in just about all soils, and will even tolerate occasional waterlogging.
How many branches does a silver birch tree grow?
Like many trees, when topping a silver birch tree by pruning the central leader (trunk), the tree will grow maybe 5 or 6 smaller branches from where the cut was made which can make the shape of the tree look a little odd and unnatural.
How deep does a silver birch tree spread?
The silver birch is a shallow-rooted tree with root systems that have been known to spread up to 10 metres. Although silver birch roots are not considered to be aggressive, they have been known to cause significant damage to lawns, patios, and other structures.
What is a Silver Birch?
Silver birch trees, Betula pendula, are a common fixture in the forests of the UK and North America that belong to the Betulaceae family (the same family as beeches).
Why is silver birch not shaded?
The Silver Birch is shade intolerant meaning that it demands an open space away from other trees or buildings where it will not be shaded out by direct sunlight during the warmer months of the year because these times are when it needs most light energy via photosynthesis for sustained growth and development.
What to do if you see bats in a silver birch?
If you do see bats in your silver birch, it would be a good idea to arrange a bat survey.
Do silver birch roots grow?
Much like a tree trunk, roots will grow and thicken as the tree matures and due to the silver birch being so shallow rooted, it does not take much for them to show at the surface.
Can silver birch trees subside?
This soil shrinkage has the potential to destabilise and damage the foundations of structures around the tree which can ultimately cause subsidence to your property. Silver Birch roots in your lawn can be a real nuisance and lead to a bumpy and uneven surface.
How tall does a weeping silver birch tree grow?
The tree will grow 40 to 50 feet (12-15 m.) tall, and will look awkward in a small yard.
What are Weeping Silver Brich Trees?
Weeping silver birch ( Betula pendula) is a European species that is well suited to North American locations with mild summers and cold winters. It isn’t a low-maintenance tree, but it well worth the time you put into it.
Where do birch trees grow?
The shape of the leaf is roughly triangular. Found usually in the northern part of North America, it grows well in well-drained acidic soil. The sap of this tree is used in the preparation of beer, wine, and birch syrup.
How tall do birches grow?
They are also referred to as ‘Birka' in old German. Birches grow as trees or herbs across U.S. and Canada. Some birches can also reach the height of 80 feet and live for many years if they grow in their native habitats - cool and moist woodland soil.
What is a small tree that grows at a fast rate?
It's a small-sized tree which grows at a fast rate but is short-lived. The bark is grey in colour and has a triangular shape. The fruit matures in autumn and is mainly found in North America. It grows well in drained soil and sometimes in sandy soil. It is used in the construction of furniture and high-grade plywood.
How tall is a sage tree?
It's a medium-sized tree about 20 meters tall. The bark is reddish-brown with horizontal lenticels. Leaves are hairy and ovate in shape. It is found commonly in the Himalayan range and grows well in wet soil. This tree is used for packing butter and as a bandage.
Where do elongated leaves grow?
The leaves are triangular in shape. Flowers bloom in spring, and the fruits are elongated. These trees are found mostly in Northern Europe, Asia, and are native to Iceland and Greenland. They survive well in wet, poorly drained soil. These trees are commonly used in the construction of indoor furniture and other plywood objects.
Where are birch trees found?
Birch trees are endemic to much of the Northern Hemisphere, including most of North America, Europe, and across northern Asia. Certain cultivars of birch tree, like the paper birch, are capable of surviving cold temperatures of up to negative 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The birch tree is a member of the Betulaceae family of plants, ...
What is a birch tree?
The birch tree is a member of the Betulaceae family of plants, with most birch trees producing both male and female flowers called catkins making them self-propagating trees. There are over 30 species of birch trees, and certain cultivars are known for their white bark that occasionally peels as the seasons change.
How much sun does a birch tree need?
Choose your planting location. Birch trees grow best in locations where their foliage gets full sun for at least six hours a day while their soil can be in the shade. Birch roots grow close to the soil's surface and can suffer from too much direct sunlight.
How big do Himalayan birch trees get?
These trees are medium-sized, reaching about 30 to 50 feet, and grow from a single trunk that splits into a pyramid shape.
What is the name of the tree with white bark that curls off the trunk?
It is distinctive for its white bark that curls off the tree's trunk like paper. River Birch (betula nigra): Known as one of the only heat-resistant birches, the river birch tree is popular among home growers and grows well in places with especially moist soil.
What kind of trees look good when planted together?
Some varieties of birch trees—like silver birch or yellow birch—look elegant when planted together. Even when their leaves have fallen in the wintertime, they give a garden year-round character with striking vertical lines. Consider planting a cluster of birch trees as a natural border to your garden.
How tall does a bog birch tree get?
Dwarf Birch (betula nana): Dwarf birch, also known as bog birch, is a short tree that grows up to six feet high.
