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Trees

Betula ermanii

Erman's birch

Vigorous, graceful tree about 20m in height, sometimes multi-stemmed, with peeling pinkish or creamy-white bark on the trunk, papery brown bark on the branches; coarsely toothed, ovate, dark green leaves to 10cm long turn yellow in autumn; yellow-brown male catkins open with the leaves

Other common names

gold birch
Russian rock birch

Synonyms

Betula ermanii var. japonica
Betula shikokiana
see moreBetula incisa
Betula ermanii var. ganjuesis
Betula ermanii var. ermanii f. ganjuensis

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Ultimate height

Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height

20–50 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–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: Bushy, Spreading branched
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 Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade but tolerant of a range of soil conditions

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Architectural
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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