Betula pendula
European White Birch

Betula pendula - Male Catkins
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Brown (Greenish-brown catkins in the spring; not ornamentally important)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Lustrous medium to dark green summer foliage); Yellow (Poor yellow to greenish-yellow fall color)
 Stem Notes:
Brown (young twigs are warty and brown), White (larger branches have a bright white bark)
 Fruit Notes:
Brown (Small brown nutlets in the summer, shed in fall; not ornamentally important )
 Ultimate Height:
30-40 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
15-30 feet
 Bloom Times:
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Prefers moist, well-drained soils; but is wet and dry soil tolerant, and somewhat pH tolerant
 Range:
Europe and Asia Minor
 Maintenance:
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves are 2-4" long by 1.25-2.75" wide, alternate, ovate with a slender apex, and with double serrations. Glands are present on both leaf surfaces. Bark peels slightly and is brown when young, turning chalky white with black fissures in middle age, utimately becoming black late in maturity. Produces catkins at 1.5-3.5" in length.
 Ecological Functions:
Purdue Plant Doctor
Parts and Problems of Birch
  Special Characteristics:
  • Backdrop 30
  • Specimen 630
  • Fast Growth Rate 229
  • Notable Bark 168
  • Wet Soil Tolerant 109

    • Additional Information

    A graceful tree with beautiful white bark and pendulous branches, the European White Birch was once a common tree in many landscapes across the United States. However, the popularity of this species has decreased rapidly due to its extreme susceptibility to the birch borer. Despite its beautiful aesthetics, other birch species, such as Betula nigra (the River Birch), are recommended for use in the landscape instead.

    When Betula pendula has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

    Flowering

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    No Fruiting Observations Available

    1 Betula pendula found

    Building Map...

    = Heritage plant = Memorial plant
    Number Accession ID Location
    1ORIG_6248*ADLR

    Other plants like this Betula pendula (European White Birch)

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