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Quality Assured.
Grown In The UK.
Established 1987.
UK Mainland.*
Betula trees or birch trees are deservedly some of the most popular types of trees that we sell. The bark is so varied within the species that its colours range from a rich mahogany, to a pure white, to a peeling golden brown. Aside from the ornamental bark, birch trees hold a distinctly elegant form – often with open canopies – some upright and tall, yet others pendant and arching. The leaves range in shape and size: some deeply cut, others finely toothed, but all have a strong autumn colour.
This is a species that offers interest in all seasons as the healthy leaves emerge in spring, shine in summer and dazzle in autumn, but once the leaves have dropped the ornamental bark really stands out and adds great winter interest.
Plant Birch trees in a full sun or partial shade position; they can tolerate any fertile soil and work well when planted in groups or clusters.
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Betula albo
sinensis septentrionalis
Common Name: Chinese Red Birch Latin Name: Betula albosinensis septentrionalisSoil: Any good garden soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/ Brown catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 11m/ 7mSpecial features: Peeling bark that varies in colour.This birch is a fantastic choice for winter interest as the bark is eye-catching and distinctive; the top layer of bark is a rich, deep red-brown but as it peels in sheets a lighter coppery-pink shade is revealed. Aside from the ornamental bark, brown catkins appear in spring and these are closely followed by mid-green leaves. The leaves are much larger than most in the species as they can grow to 10cm in length and provide further interest in autumn when they turn golden yellow before falling. This birch will eventually have a pyramidal habit and it makes a fantastic specimen tree; if you've got the room then plant this alternately with a lighter birch, like the Betula utilis 'Snow Queen', so that you get contrasting bark in the winter months.
Betula pendula
Silver Birch Tree
Common Name: Silver Birch TreeLatin Name: Betula pendulaSoil: Will grow in most soilsPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/Yellowy-brown male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 8m/3mSpecial features: White peeling bark. (Deciduous)Betula pendula is a graceful native tree, upright growing, the smaller branches becoming pendulous with age. The deciduous leaves are a diamond shape and hold a mid-green colour before turning yellow in autumn. Yellowy brown male catkins in appear in spring. White peeling bark which with age becomes ruggedly fissured and dark-grey, almost black, at the base. These trees are most effective when planted as a close group of 3 and they also make a good windbreak.The silver birch is an extremely popular tree which is widely planted for its highly ornamental white peeling bark. The ornamental bark gives this tree interest all year round, and it looks particularly effective in winter when the rest of the garden is dormant. In spring, diamond-shaped mid-green leaves appear on the upright branches, and at the same time yellow-brown male catkins hang from the tree. Autumn sees the leaves fade to yellow before falling, when they again reveal the beautiful bark. As this tree matures, the branches become more pendulous and the bark develops a real character and becomes deeply fissured and dark grey in colour.
Betula Tristis
European White Birch Tree
Common Name: European white BirchLatin Name: Betula pendula 'Tristis'Soil: Any good garden soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/Yellowy-brown male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 6m x 2.5mSpecial features: Diamond-shaped, bright green leaves hang from graceful, pendant branchesBetula pendula 'Tristis' is a particularly beautiful tree which has uplifted branches, pendulous at their ends. The shape of the crown is narrow and symmetrical and there is a single leading shoot. The main bark is silver and the purple-brown twigs shine in the light.
Betula albo
sinensis
Common Name: Chinese Paper BirchLatin Name: Betula albo-sinensisSoil: Any good garden soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/6cm long male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 12m/5mSpecial features: Medium sized tree with finely flaking pinkish-brown bark.Betula albo-sinensis is a pretty and graceful birch that has smooth peeling bark that carries attractive pinkish brown tones. The bark peels to reveal creamy young growth. The leaves are rather conical, with a lightly toothed edge, a bright and glossy yellow green, turning yellow in autumn. Trustpilot
Betula Snow Queen
Snow Queen Birch Tree
Common Name: Snow Queen Birch Tree, Himalayan BirchLatin Name: Betula utilis 'Snow Queen' (Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Doorenbos')Soil: Moist but well drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/Yellowy-brown male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 8m/3mSpecial features: Brilliant white bark which develops earlier than other white stem varieties. Very reliable, hardy and attractive specimen Betula utilis 'Snow Queen' is a fast-growing, medium-sized tree with dazzling, white, peeling bark which appears pale orange when freshly exposed. As with all Birch trees, this tree will be a year round asset to your garden. In spring, vibrant yellow catkins appear amongst the fresh green foliage: the leaves are serrated at the edges and they make the perfect foil for the golden catkins. Come autumn, the leaves turn to deep shades of yellow and buttery bronze before falling. In winter, the true beauty of the bark can be appreciated, and the graceful skeleton of the tree can be fully admired.This tree will become a real feature of your garden and it works well as a garden specimen. Equally, the 'Snow Queen' looks effective when planted in a close group of three. If you want to have contrasting colours in your garden, we would recommend planting the ‘Snow Queen’ alongside ‘Betula Purpurea’, as the rich purple foliage would contrast beautifully with the greens and golds of the 'Snow Queen'.As this tree grows, it will form a narrowly pyramidal shape. The branches maintain their upright habit, meaning that this tree is suitable for the smaller garden. Another key benefit of this birch is the fact that the stunning bark develops on trees that are only three years old, so you don’t have to wait to enjoy the highly ornamental bark. Whilst this tree is somewhat delicate in its appearance, it is a highly robust and hardy tree that is well-suited to a range of locations and conditions.
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