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Trees

Betula cordifolia

A deciduous, narrow tree, closely related to Betula papyrifera, reaches a height of more than 12m . The leaves are green and serrated and the bark dark red-brown and in mature trees, is white or bronze-white

Synonyms

Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia

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Ultimate height

Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height

20–50 years

Ultimate spread

Wider than 8 metres

Sand

Loam

Clay

Chalk

Moisture

Well–drained, Moist but well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Betulaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Betula can be deciduous trees or shrubs, usually colouring well in autumn and often with striking white, pink, or peeling brown bark; separate male and female catkins open before or with the leaves in spring
Name status: Correct
Plant range: NE N America

How to grow

Cultivation

Will grow in wide range of situations in sun or part-shade. For more information, see tree cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to birch borers, leaf-mining sawflies and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus, a tree rust and powdery mildews

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