Downy Birch (Betula pubescens)
The Downy Birch is a medium-sized, sometimes shrubby tree. It is characteristically found in birch moors and mixed birch-and-oak woodlands. Less attractive than its relatives, the Downy Birch is not always suitable for parks and gardens.
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Appearance
The Downy Birch is a medium-sized, sometimes shrubby tree. It is characteristically found in birch moors and mixed birch-and-oak woodlands. Less attractive than its relatives, the Downy Birch is not always suitable for parks and gardens.
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Flowers
Flowering period IV-V, greenish-yellow or brown catkins while the leaves sprout in early May.
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Fruits
Inconspicuous catkins appear in August from thin-skinned monocarpous winged nuts, 2-2.5cm long.
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Bark
Whitish banded bark with rough scales when older. Branches are dark brown or grey, occasionally purple-red.
Application
Open country, open fields, pioneer tree, forage for honey-bees, public areas, parks, private parks, gardens, pollen (allergy)
Native regions
Europe
Location parameters
Light: full sun to off-sun, temperature: warm to cold, soil: fresh to temporarily flooded, stagnant moisture: resistant, soil structure: normal, soil depth: shallow to medium, soil quality: medium to high, pH value: 4.0 to 6.0
Demands
Sun; frost-hardy, grows well in cool or cold, damp or wet locations, acid substrates, prefers humus-rich or sandy soils; intolerant of lime; resistant to wind, intolerant of salt
Growth
Height of growth: 10m to 20m, spread: 8m to 12m, rapid growth potential, growth habits: loose, elegant, upright, central leader
Leaves
Round to ovate leaves, 4-9cm long, 3-6cm wide, leaf stem 1-3cm long. Toothed or double-toothed edge. Leaves are glossy dark green above and plain green below, turning a decorative deep yellow to yellow-orange-brown in autumn.
Flowers
Flowering period IV-V, greenish-yellow or brown catkins while the leaves sprout in early May.
Fruits
Inconspicuous catkins appear in August from thin-skinned monocarpous winged nuts, 2-2.5cm long.
Bark
Whitish banded bark with rough scales when older. Branches are dark brown or grey, occasionally purple-red.
Roots
Surface rooting, but deeper than B. pendula, less intensive and more robust