Betula pubescens

RHS Plant Profile

downy birch

RHS 2002

Other common names

bedwen gffredin, common white birch, white birch

Synonyms

Betula × kusmisscheffii, Betula alba [3], Betula odorata, Betula pubescens var. kusmisscheffii

Trees

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Slender, narrowly conical deciduous tree to about 20m in height, with peeling white bark that remains white at the base. Ascending branches and smooth downy shoots bearing slightly rounded to diamond-shaped mid-green leaves, with yellow autumn colour, and yellow-brown catkins in early spring

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Betulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
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: Europe to C Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun or light, dappled shade in moist but well-drained soil, tolerant of poor or wet, acid soils

Propagation

Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens

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