Silver Birch.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Deciduous tree

Lumière

Full sun to partial shade

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 7 à 14 jours

Taille adulte

40 to 50 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 2 à 7

Floraison

Mid to late spring

Entretien

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of room for its roots to spread and ensure it gets full sun. Keep an eye out for leaf miners or aphids, which can sometimes bother the foliage. Regular watering during dry spells helps keep it happy and healthy.

Arrosage

Water deeply during dry periods to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Engrais

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.

Taille

Prune during the dormant season in late summer or early autumn to avoid heavy sap bleeding.

Rempotage

This tree is best suited for outdoor planting rather than container growth.

Sol

Well-draining, moist, acidic soil

pH du sol

5.0 to 6.5

Température

-35 à 30°C

Humidité

40 à 70%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Faible

Durée de vie

Perennial, typically 40 to 60 years.

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Faible

Sécurité

Humains

The plant is not considered toxic to humans.

Enfants

No specific risks to children, though the papery bark can be messy if peeled.

Allergènes de contact

The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Allergènes aéroportés

The pollen is a significant airborne allergen during the spring flowering season.

Comestibilité

The sap is edible but harvesting it can damage the tree if done improperly.

Comment l'identifier

• Distinctive white, papery, peeling bark
• Triangular leaves with serrated edges
• Slender, pendulous, drooping branches
• Small, brown, cylindrical catkins

Hauteur

12 à 20m

Envergure

6 à 10m

Feuilles

green, yellow, deciduous

Fleurs

green, yellow, 3 à 8cm

Fruits

brown, Late summer to autumn

Problèmes courants

• Bronze birch borer — A wood boring beetle that can cause significant damage to stressed trees.
• Leaf spot — Fungal infections that cause spots on leaves during wet seasons.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed, cuttings

Quand planter

spring, autumn

Hivernage

No special protection is needed as it is extremely cold hardy. Ensure the soil remains moist before the ground freezes.

En pot

Not suitable for long term container growth due to its large size and extensive root system.

Plant shallow rooted woodland flowers around the base to mimic its natural forest edge habitat.

Bonnes associations

• Foxglove — They thrive in the dappled shade provided by the birch canopy.
• Fraisier des bois — This groundcover appreciates the cool, moist soil conditions beneath the tree.

Espèces similaires

• Betula papyrifera — It shares the iconic white bark but is native to North America.

Science

Famille

Betulaceae

Genre

Betula

Ordre

Fagales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Europe and parts of Asia.

Préservation

This species is widespread and not of conservation concern.

It is a pioneer species that quickly colonizes open or disturbed land.

Intérêt pour la faune

larval host plant, seeds provide food for birds

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons, papillons de nuit

Utilisations

ornamental specimen, shade tree, wildlife habitat

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Does it need a lot of water?

It prefers consistently moist soil and does not handle prolonged drought well.

Can I plant it near my house?

Its roots are shallow and can be invasive, so keep it at least 6 meters away from foundations.

D'où vient le nom

The name pendula refers to the drooping, weeping habit of the branches. Betula is the ancient Latin name for the birch tree.

Bon à savoir

• The wood is often used for plywood and furniture.
• It is the national tree of Finland.
• The bark was historically used as a waterproof material.