Bareroot Betula pendula (Silver Birch)

This elegant deciduous tree is prized for its slender, weeping form and distinctive white bark that peels beautifully to reveal darker patches beneath. Delicate triangular leaves emerge fresh green in spring, turning golden yellow in autumn, creating a seasonal display of colour. Its airy canopy casts dappled shade, making it ideal for smaller gardens where light penetration is desired. Adaptable to various soil conditions, including poor and dry soils, it's particularly valuable for urban planting due to its tolerance of pollution. The catkins in early spring provide early food for wildlife, while the graceful winter silhouette adds year round interest. A classic choice for creating naturalistic landscapes or as a striking specimen tree.

Family of Trees: Betulaceae

Habit: Deciduous Tree

Growth Rate: 40-60 cm/year

Optimal Temperature: 10-20°C, hardy to -40°C

Harmful if Eaten?: Non-toxic

Flowers or Berries: Catkins (Flowers)

Hardiness: H7 (Extremely Hardy)

Hardiness ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

○ H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
○ H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
○ H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
○ H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
○ H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
○ H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
○ H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
○ H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
○ H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)