Scientific Name:
Betula pendula
Pronunciation:
BET-you-luh PEN-dew-luh
Common Name:
European white birch, silver birch
Family Name:
Betulaceae
Plant Type:
Invasive plant, Tree - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Arching, pendulous branches; leaves deltoid to ovate, most blades 5-7cm long x 4-5cm wide; margins dentate-serrate; male catkins narrow, 3-6cm long, female catkins 1.5-3.5 cm long, bright green turning yellow, swollen flaky brown when mature. Winter ID: catkins persistent; branches weeping or branch tips often drooping; bark smooth then exfoliating with age, grayish-white with dark gray to black horizontal lenticels becoming larger spots; branch bark ridge long, almost black; 1-3 immature terminal male catkins.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
22 - 30m
Mature Spread:
7 - 10m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 2: (-46 to -40 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade, Filtered shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Shade tree, Street (boulevard tree)
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acuminate, Acute
Bases:
Attenuate
Margins:
Dentate, Double serrate, Serrate
Inflorescence Type:
Catkin (ament)
Flower Morphology:
Monoecious plant
Number Of Petals:
0
Colour (petals):
Not showy, Yellow, Brown
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May
Fruit Type:
Nut, Samara
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Persistent, Female catkin release many tiny samaras
Bark Morphology:
Exfoliating, Moderately fissured
Bark or Stem Colour:
White, Grey, Dark brown
Leaf Bud Type:
Ovoid
Leaf Scar Shape:
Crescent shaped
Organ Modifications:
Ectomycorrhizae
Propagation:
Seed, Softwood cuttings
Pest Susceptibility:
Anthracnose, Beetles or weevils, Fungal leaf spot, Leaf miner insect, Rust, Stem borer insects, Virus, Wood deformity (Drought tolerant)
Specific Pests:
Short lived due to high susceptibility to bronze birch borer, Witches' broom.
Course(s):
- CLT Training
- HORT 1155
- Level 1 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
- (FSC) Far South Campus