Betula Pendula, European White Birch Tree Identification Fact Sheet

This is the tree, shrub, and vine identification project fact sheet for Betula pendula, European White Birch. This fact sheet may not be copied in part or in whole and submitted as one's own project, but may be cited as a source of facts during one's own research. See tree, shrub, and vine identification project main page for links to other plants, and Deciduous trees slideshow for pictures.

Plant Botanical Name: Betula pendula

Common Name: European White Birch

Family Name: Betulaceae

Plant is Native to What Country: Northern Asia and Europe

Plant Height at Maturity: 40-60 feet high, 20-40 feet wide.

Plant Habit and Form: Pyramidal habit in youth more rounded with maturity.

Foliage: Simple leaves alternate, 1.5-3" long and 0.5-1.5" long. Leaf margins doubly serrated. Leaves dark green in summer, turn yellow in the fall.

Bark: Bark gray on young twigs, with a rough, almost warty feel. Becoming white and showy on older twigs and main trunks. Bark often develops vertical, black or gray fissures on main trunks.

Flower: Monoecious flowers bloom yellow in April, but the catkins develop and are visible the previous fall. Male catkins 1.5-3" long, female catkins smaller, 0.75-1.5" long.

Fruit/Seed: The fruit are small nutlets held in the hard female catkin fruiting structure.

Growing Requirements: Tolerates a wide range of soil textures, grows best in moist soil and is not drought tolerant. Grows best in full sun.

Problems and Drawbacks: Trees can be short lived and this species is most susceptible to the bronze birch borer. Trees are not tolerant of heat or drought.

Special Uses: Trees cast a light shade and are great lawn trees. White Birch is often grown as a specimen for its white bark. Trees are often grown by decks and patios.

ID Tips/Remarks: Young twigs on mature trees slightly pendulous.

Bibliography: http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/b/betpen/betpen1.html, http://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=BEPE3.