Betula pendula

Silver Birch

Warty Birch

Family
Description
A smallish fast growing short lived tree. Pioneer and light demanding species. Rapid growth for first 20 years and mature at 40 years. Seldom planted in the UK by foresters although major timber species in Scandinavia, but important for conservation use in woodland. Height max 25m Max age 60 - 80 years
Habitat
This tree tolerates a wide range of habitats, soil ph 3.5 to 7 but best on dry sandy soils and up to higher altitudes than most broadleaved species. Upland birchwoods are an important ecotype in Scotland.
Natural Distribution
Native to all Britain and to west and central Ireland. Also through most of Europe and parts of Asia.
The Tree Year

Flowers               Leaves                   Fruit                  Ripen                Fall

Apr-May       Apr-May                      June                 Sept                 Nov
Propagation and growth
Normally grown from seed although can be grown from cuttings. The seeds are brown flakes with yellow seed are wind dispersed sprouting the following spring in rock crevices or clear damp earth. Approx 150,000 seeds per Kg. Treat seed as per alder. Useful as a nurse species and soil improver.
Timber
White to pale fawn in colour and easily worked. Flexible and tough but not very strong. Trees in Britain commonly rotten in centre reducing usefulness.
Uses of Wood
Good firewood and pulpwood. Treated wood used for fence posts. Used in turnery and formerly for cotton reels and bobbins. Larger timber not usually produced in Britain. Twigs used for making brooms - bessoms.
Food and Drink
Seeds consumed by redpolls, siskins and other small birds. Apparently a wine fermented from the sap was credited with medicinal properties. Wood and bark can be distiled to give birch tar used to make leather waterproof. The bark is waterproof and used in tanning. The young leaves are a diuretic.
Related Species
See B. Pubescens. A dwarf species B. Nana found on mountains in Scotland.

Betula pubescens
Downy Birch
Family
Description
A short lived smallish tree very similar to Silver Birch but with downy twigs and without the little warts found on silver birch. Slower growing than silver birch. Height
Habitat
Similar to silver birch but more tolerant of cold and wet.
Natural Distribution
Common in North and West of Britain but believed to be native throughout British Isles.
The Tree Year 

Flowers              Leaves                Fruit                Ripen               Fall

Mar-Apr           Apr-May




Propagation and growth


Seed treatment as per Alnus glutinosa. Approx 300,000 germinable seeds per Kg.




Timber









Uses of Wood









Food and Drink







Related Species
















Buxus sempervirens



Box






Family


Description


Evergreen small tree, slow growing and long lived.



Height    max 9m






Habitat


Prefers chalk and limestone slopes sometimes with Beech.




Natural Distribution


Native to a few locations in Southern England and distributed though Southern Europe, N. Africa and Western Asia.




 The Tree Year 




Flowers          Leaves         Fruit          Ripen          Fall

Apr-May                                          Sep-Oct





Propagation and growth


Seed cases open suddenly ejecting small black seeds up to 3m away. Grown from seeds or cuttings.




Timber


Yellow very hard and dense wood.




Uses of Wood


Has been used for carving, turnery, engraving blocks and inlay work. Takes a high polish and once highly valued. Still used for heads of mallets and rulers






Food and Drink


Considered to have medicinal properties.




Related Species














Carpinus betulus



Hornbeam




Family Corylaceae




Description


A sturdy deciduous tree superficially resembling Beech.



Height    max 30m                       Age max 150 years






Habitat


Prefers low lying rich soils or clays and is shade tolerant. Can be coppiced or pollarded and is good for hedges.




Natural Distribution


South East England, Thames Valley and locally South Wales and Somerset. Also temperate Europe and Asia Minor.




The Tree Year 
 

Flowers      Leaves          Fruit         Ripen             Fall

Mar          Apr-May        Sep         Oct-Nov       Nov-Apr

 


Propagation and growth


Seed is deeply dormant - treat as per field maple. Approx 15,000 seeds per Kg. In nature seeds lie dormant on soil for 18 months. Frost hardy and not normally damaged by Grey Squirrels.




Timber


Extremely hard white close grained wood.




Uses of Wood


Good firewood and for producing charcoal. Was used for cogwheels and

butchers chopping blocks. Blunts tools.






Food and Drink


Nuts attractive to birds.




Related Species



















Page 5.4/5/6/7 - Contents