Betula pubescens var. pubescens

Common Names

Downy Birch, White Birch, Moor Birch, Hairy Birch, European White Birch

Summary

This slender, narrowly conical deciduous tree is native to Europe through the Russian Far East, reaching 10–20 m tall with a trunk up to 70 cm in diameter, and features smooth dull grey-white bark with dark lenticels; shoots are grey-brown with fine down and leaves are ovate-acute, 2–5 cm long and 1.5–4.5 cm wide; wind-pollinated catkins appear in spring and seeds ripen August–September, with pendulous fruits 1–4 cm long and 5–7 mm wide whose seeds are about 2 mm with two wings; it is a fast-growing pioneer adapted to a wide range of soils from dry to wet, does not tolerate shade, and can extend farther north into the Arctic than any other broadleaf tree.

It grows in full sun or partial shade on moist but well-drained soils and tolerates poor or wet, acidic to neutral conditions; propagation is by seed, softwood cuttings, or grafting; uses include wildlife-friendly landscape planting, wood for furniture and handles, sap for beverages, and edible inner bark and leaves, while pests such as birch borers and aphids and diseases like honey fungus and powdery mildews may occur.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

30-66 ft

Spread

13-26 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 2-9

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.5, Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Brownish-yellow, Bright green

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green, Yellow fall color

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Softwood cuttings, Grafting

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts wildlife, Attracts birds