Birch, Silver (Betula pendula)

Silver Birch (Betula pendula)

or "Lady of the Woods" as she is widely known (for her graceful appearance), makes an attractive medium sized specimen tree, with distinctive silver grey bark and diamond shaped, mid-green foliage. Silver Birch flowers are yellow catkins in early spring, and its leaves turn gold and yellow for its autumn show.

The Silver Birch (Bedwen Arian in Welsh) has a long history in Britain. It was here before the last Ice Age and was one of the first trees to return afterwards. Often used as a living Maypole, Silver Birch was regarded as a symbol of fertility across Northern Europe. It is a useful tree, its bark was used for covering boats and canoes, many Saxon tribes brewed mead from Silver Birch sap (which tastes like sugary water) in spring, and its resin was be boiled down to make a powerful glue.

Silver birch, which is very fast growing in its early years and reaches full height in 20-25 years is relatively short lived and tends to die when it is between 60 and 80 years old. Because it has only light leaf cover, Silver Birch is ideal where only dappled shade is wanted and grows well in almost any soil.

If you would rather "grow your own" by starting with smaller plants or you want to plant in quantity, then take a look at our seedling Silver Birch in a range of sizes and pricing. To 20m