Betula pendula (syn. Betula alba) European white birch

The species of European white birch is a large tree growing over 20m tall in maturity. Its most significant feature is white bark, pealing off in thin layers. Diamond-shaped leaves are mid green, partly glossy and are said to emerge only after the danger of all frosts. They turn yellow in autumn. The flowers are 4-6 cm long, yellow-brown catkins. Pollen from flowering birches is allergenic, in fact one of the most significant allergen in early spring.

This birch is cultivated as a standard tree with a single trunk, usually with lateral branches removed to form a canopy, or as a multi-stemmed tree where, due to more than one trunk) its white bark shows off best. It grows very fast and young twigs are soft and pendulous hence its specific epithet pendula. However, the tree has upright growth and once the twigs harden up they rise up forming a V-like framework. In other words, this is not a weeping tree. Birch woods can be found in colder parts of Europe and Asia, they were typical in Russia and Siberia.

It likes moist soil but adapts to all soil types, when established it can even accept long, dry summers. Fully hardy to min. -45°C (USDA zone 2).

Last update 11-01-2009; 03-02-2022