{"slug":"betula-pendula","scientific_name":"Betula pendula","common_names":["Silver birch","Warty birch"],"family":"Betulaceae","type":"broadleaf_deciduous","mature_height_m":25,"mature_spread_m":10,"growth_rate":"fast","lifespan_years":90,"hardiness_zones":[2,6],"sun":"full","water":"medium","soil":"Light, well-drained sandy or acidic soils; tolerates poor ground, dislikes waterlogging","native_range":"Native across Europe from Spain and Britain to Scandinavia and Siberia, and through temperate Asia to China and Japan; naturalised in parts of North America.","description":"A graceful pioneer tree with white peeling bark and fine drooping twigs, reaching up to 30 m but usually smaller in gardens. It casts light shade, colours yellow in autumn and supports over 300 insect species plus seed-eating finches. Quick to establish on heaths, brownfield land and new woodland, and small enough for many gardens.","care":"Plant in autumn or winter; water weekly in the first dry summer because birch roots are shallow. Prune only in late summer, as cuts bleed heavily in spring. Planted birch can suffer birch dieback (Marssonina and Anisogramma fungi); naturally regenerated trees are less affected. Short-lived compared with oak.","benefits":["wildlife","birds","fall_color","fast_canopy","small_space","pollinators"],"uses":["small_yard","parks","reforestation","yard_shade"],"cautions":["short_lived","surface_roots","allergenic_pollen"],"image_url":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Betula_pendula_Finland.jpg","image_credit":"Wikimedia Commons, file Betula_pendula_Finland.jpg (see file page for author and licence)","sources":["https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/silver-birch/","https://www.gbif.org/species/5331916","https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=277818"],"data_note":null,"updated_at":"2026-11-08T01:00:46.205Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/betula-pendula","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/betula-pendula.md","regions":[{"country":"DE","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5331916"},{"country":"FR","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5331916"},{"country":"GB","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/silver-birch/"},{"country":"IE","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5331916"},{"country":"SE","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5331916"},{"country":"AU","region":"TAS","locality":null,"status":"adapted","note":"Introduced per WCVP","source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5331916"},{"country":"NZ","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"adapted","note":"Introduced and naturalised per WCVP","source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5331916"}],"license":"CC-BY-4.0"}