Silver birch is a popular garden tree and often hybridises with our other native birch, the downy birch, Betula pubescens, which is more common in Scotland. Leaves: Triangular, which turn yellow before falling. he white-barked silver birch prefers drier conditions than downy birch, and is most widespread in the south and east of Britain, on light dry soils. outwardly look very similar and it is common for enthusiasts in 'warts' or glands. Downy birch (Betula pubescens) is a fast-growing and relatively small deciduous tree.Although quite similar to silver birch (Betula pendula), downy birch is distinguished by its hairy leaves and shoots.The species’ native range overlaps Silver birch (Betula pendula) is a deciduous tree growing up to 30m and flowering April to May. warts but is covered in minute hairs. Can be grown as a specimen or screening tree. The female catkins, where the seeds develop, eventually disintegrate in September and October, releasing the seeds. Although downy birch is more frequent (12 %), silver birch (4 %) is economically more valuable. Betula pubescens (Downy Birch) - narrow, conical tree with more upright, ascending branches than the pendulous Silver Birch. and South West Asia, the Caucasus and are reportedly widespread article is intended to help the bonsai enthusiast distinguish Silver birch tolerates the cold well and prefers a light, dry and acid soil. […] "The new shoots of a Silver Birch are hairless and covered in 'warts' or glands. Downy Birch Silver Birch Betula pendula The triangular leaves are on slen-der hairless stalks.The leaf base is atri g hn l eso k .T fruiting catkins stay on the tree until winter. downy birch is more competitive than silver birch, but the silver birch reaches a larger height and diameter at breast height growing in mineral soils or in abandoned agricultural lands. That means it is one of the first trees to colonise new (or cleared) land. Downy Birch will tolerate much wetter, more acid soil than Silver Birch from which it can be differentiated by its lack of a heavily fissured bark on the mature tree, … It tolerates poor soils and harsh frosts and copes well with drought. The two types of native British birch are commonly known as 'downy' birch and 'silver' birch. Tolerant of a range of temperatures, it grows as far south as Spain and as far north as Lapland. © Copyright 2020 The Conservation Volunteers, Registered in England as a limited company (976410) and as a charity in England (261009) and Scotland (SCO39302)Registered Office: Sedum House, Mallard Way, Doncaster DN4 8DB. They are tiny nutlets (only 2-3mm across) with two wings, helping them to travel up to one mile from the parent tree. Birch will grow in poor soils, but likes a sunny position. Its leaves are more rounded and grow on hairy stalks, hence the name, 'Downy'. Common Name(s): Downy Birch, European White Birch Scientific Name: Betula pubescens Distribution: Northern Europe, Asia, Iceland, and Greenland Tree Size: 33-65 ft (10-20 m) tall, 1-2 ft (.3-.6 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Small-medium sized deciduous trees, to 20m. Silver Birch Logs. However, despite their dominance over such ©Harry Harrington 2019. Useful information about the plant. southern climates. Smooth in young trees, the bark gets rugged at the base in older trees. Although downy birch is more frequent (12 %), silver birch (4 %) is economically more valuable. Its young twigs are hairy and smooth, not hairless and covered with resin warts like those of silver birch. High shock resistance, bending and … Create a lightbox Your Lightboxes will appear here when you have The two principle species seen are Betula pubescens/Downy Birch (sometimes known hairy but in the main only when the leaf is young. The Downy Birch prefers cooler northern Downy birch Betula pubescens Downy birch is a slender tree with a light canopy and elegant, drooping branches. in both species, there are subtle differences in the ideal growing conditions for each species. It will take a spark off a fire steel if it has been abraded or separated out to fine enough fibres. Unfortunately, unless you have both species growing Downy Birch prefers a wetter soil and will Among the native birch found in North and Central Europe to Siberia, the downy or warty birch (also white or silver birch) is the most abundant in Central Europe. The bark is waterproof and resistant to fungal attack. they are both white-stemmed and usually monocormic trees, … The leaf base of silver birch is usually a right angle to the stalk, while for downy birches, it is rounded. Smooth in young trees, the bark gets rugged at the base in older trees. trees are a common sight throughout Europe. Quite often you may find a birch tree that is actually some sort of hybrid between the two. You can tell this species apart from silver birch in spring by its furry new shoots. In addition, silver birch is also planted and managed as pure stands. Silver birch tolerates the cold well and prefers a light, dry and acid soil. [2] It is a deciduous tree growing to 10 to 20 m (33 to 66 ft) tall (rarely to 27 m), with a slender crown and a trunk up to 70 cm (28 in) (exceptionally 1 m) in diameter, with smooth … • Downy Birch • Currently nurseries require 30kg of downy birch. way of identifying a birch is to study the youngest shoots Both have triangular leaves, slender twigs and peeling bark. It has downy young shoots, which are most pronounced on younger trees, and sharply toothed leaves which are also downy on the underside. Downy birch is tolerant of wet sites, but silver birch needs good drainage. Its bark remains smooth right down to the base making it very popular for it’s unique looks. Yet, downy birches are characterised by hairy leaves and young shoots, whereas the same parts on silver birch are hairless. Birch (left) are roughly triangular, have a broader base and that these are the preferred habitats of each species but Downy birch, also known as white birch, is a very variable tree. Buy Birch (Downy & Silver) seeds and plants online The two types of native British birch are commonly known as 'downy' birch and 'silver' birch. The female catkins appear in spring with the new shoots. 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. Downy or Silver Birch - Betula pendula Roth Family. Betula pubescens. Use of Text or Images contained within this website is strictly prohibited without the express permission of Harry Harrington. … The edge of the leaf is coarsely toothed. 2 (43) ISSN 2029-9230 223 average productivity of silver birch stands (especially of the ones growing on mineral soils) is by 15–20 % higher compared to the downy birch stands. Downy birch (Betula pubescens) is a fast-growing and relatively small deciduous tree.Although quite similar to silver birch (Betula pendula), downy birch is distinguished by its hairy leaves and shoots.The species’ native range overlaps with that of the silver birch, but reaches further north and east. they can correctly identify their own trees and bonsai. Birch will have a whiter appearance and black fissures (often Reddish brown heartwood and light-yellow sapwood. The second British native is downy birch, Betula pubescens. Silver birch is a pioneer tree. However, No need to register, buy now! happily grow with its feet in water at the side of rivers The new Bonsai Book for 2019 by Harry Harrington. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. A more upright tree than the silver birch but better suited to damper soil and can grow at higher elevations, and so more likely to be found in the north of the country.