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.

Plant guide

Silver Birch.

Betula pendula

Pronounced BET-yoo-luh PEN-dyoo-luh

Also known as Common Birch, East Asian White Birch, European White Birch, European weeping birch

The Silver Birch is a beautiful, graceful tree known for its striking white, peeling bark and delicate, drooping branches. It thrives in cooler climates and adds a lovely, airy feel to any landscape. You will love how its bright green leaves turn a stunning golden yellow in the autumn.

Another photo of Silver Birch — Photo by David Orlovich (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 40 to 50 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 2 to 7
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

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.

Watering: Water deeply during dry periods to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.
Pruning: Prune in late summer or early autumn, while the tree is still in leaf, to avoid heavy sap bleeding.
Repotting: This tree is best suited for outdoor planting rather than container growth.
Soil: Well-draining, moist, acidic soil
Soil pH: 5.0 to 6.5
Temperature: -35 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 40 to 60 years.
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic to humans.
Children: No specific risks to children, though the papery bark can be messy if peeled.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is a significant airborne allergen during the spring flowering season.
Edibility: The sap is edible but harvesting it can damage the tree if done improperly.

How to identify it

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

Height: 12 to 20m
Spread: 6 to 10m
Leaves: green, yellow, deciduous
Flowers: green, yellow, 3 to 8cm
Fruit: brown, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Bronze Birch BorerCommon
Leaf SpotCommon
CankerUncommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Leaf ScorchUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special protection is needed as it is extremely cold hardy. Ensure the soil remains moist before the ground freezes.
In containers: Not suitable for long term container growth due to its large size and extensive root system.

Seed

Collect seeds in late summer.
Sow in a cold frame during autumn.
Keep soil moist until germination in spring.

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

Grows well with

Common Foxglove · They thrive in the dappled shade provided by the birch canopy.
Wild Strawberry · This groundcover appreciates the cool, moist soil conditions beneath the tree.

Similar species

Paper Birch · It shares the iconic white bark but is native to North America.

Science

Family: Betulaceae
Genus: Betula
Order: Fagales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of Asia.
Conservation: This species is widespread and not of conservation concern.

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

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, seeds provide food for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: ornamental specimen, shade tree, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 3/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

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.

Where the name comes from

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

Good to know

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.

Keep your silver birch growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.