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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 albosinensis Fascination
Chinese Red
Common Name: Chinese red-barked birchLatin Name: Betula albosinensis FascinationSoil: Any free-draining garden soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/Yellow-brown male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height and spread: 13m/8mSpecial features: Orange-red peeling bark The 'Fascination' is a stunning ornamental tree which offers year-round interest. Its most notable feature is its orange-red peeling bark which has a shimmering copper tone to it: the iridescent-looking bark really stands out in a winter garden. Once the tree reaches maturity the bark mellows to a pink-white colour, but it still retains its glossy appearance. Spring brings fresh foliage and the cordate leaves are dark-green in colour and serrated at their edges. In March exceptionally lengthy yellow-brown catkins emerge and these dangle from the branches, which adds further interest. The winter leaves turn buttery-yellow before falling in autumn. This tree has densely ascending branches and it will grow to have a pyramidal habit, making this a great choice for a screening tree. Plant it alongside something just as sturdy and colourful, like the Koelreuteria paniculata, or something with contrasting bark, like the Betula Snow Queen.
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 Moonbeam
Himalayan Birch Tree
Common Name: Moonbeam Himalayan Birch TreeLatin Name: Betula utiis var. jacquemontii ‘Moonbeam’Soil: Will tolerate most soil typesPosition: Full sun to part shade. Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 6m/3mSpecial features: more compact than some birch trees, making it suitable for smaller spaces.With its striking, peeling, white bark and its relatively compact size, the 'Moonbeam' is a highly desirable Himalayan birch tree. Its bark is its most notable feature and this offers winter interest as the pearly white bark sparkles in the winter sun. Spring sees the arrival of the mid-dark, ovate, serrated green leaves and the yellow-brown catkins; the leaves hang from their stems and have a subtle shine to them. Come autumn, the foliage turns golden yellow before falling. This birch is fairly upright in habit and grows slower than some birch trees, making it a fantastic choice for smaller gardens or areas with limited space. As with most birch trees, it is tolerant of most conditions, but it does prefer moist soil. If you do have more room and want a planting partner for the 'Moonbeam' then the Betula 'Hakkoda Orange' is a fantastic choice as the two trees are relatively compact and both offer differing bark colours.
Betula nigra Black Star
River Birch Tree
Common Name: River Birch Latin Name: Betula nigra 'Black Star'Soil: Will grow in most soilsPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Spring/ Yellow catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 8m/ 4mSpecial features: Highly distinctive peeling bark.This river birch is a real showstopper! The rugged bark peels vigorously and you get papery strips of pink, cream and brown bark which looks particularly special in winter. In terms of the foliage this birch offers glossy green leaves throughout spring and summer and these later turn yellow before falling. This Betula works really well as a specimen, particularly due to the ornamental bark, but it also works well when planted in a trio. Although this birch is tolerant of most soil conditions, it grows particularly well in wet sites.
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.
Betula Trinity College
Himalayan Birch Tree
Common Name: Trinity College Himalayan Birch TreeLatin Name: Betula utiis var. Jacquemontii 'Trinity College'Soil: Medium to wet soil.Position: Full sun to part shade. Flowering period/colour: April/MayHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 7m/3mSpecial features: A more compact birch, making it suitable for smaller spaces.The 'Trinity College' is similar to the classic 'Betula Jacquemontii' but this one is more compact, making it more suitable for smaller spaces than its parent. The sparkling white bark is a real feature of this tree: it adds year-round interest and looks particularly effective when you plant a trio of these trees in close proximity. Aside from the bark, the cordate leaves are mid-dark green in colour and are serrated at their edges. Come autumn, the leaves turn to a buttery yellow colour before falling. This Himalayan Birch has an upright habit and its graceful branches ascend to make a light and airy canopy. You could plant this alongside another more compact Birch, like the Betula ermanii, as the two trees will give year-round interest with their contrasting coloured bark. If you have a large space that needs colour and structure, an avenue of birch trees is a superb sight to behold.
Betula Fastigiata
Upright Silver Birch Tree
Common Name: Upright Silver BirchLatin Name: Betula pendula 'Fastigiata'Soil: Will grow in most soilsPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/Yellowy-brown male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years : 7m x 2mSpecial features: A useful upright form of the of the native Silver Birch (Deciduous).Betula pendula 'Fastigiata' is an attractive columnar form of the native Silver Birch. This is an interesting tree with a silvery-white trunk and twisted, stiffly ascending branches. The leaves are dark green turning yellow in late autumn. This upright birch is ideal as a specimen tree or in areas where space is limited.
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