# Silver birch (Betula pendula)

> 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.

Source: https://treerm.org/trees/betula-pendula · Updated 2026-11-08 · License CC BY 4.0

## Facts

- Also called: Warty birch
- Family: Betulaceae
- Type: Broadleaf, drops leaves
- Mature height: 25 m; spread 10 m
- Growth: Fast growing; lives about 90 years
- USDA hardiness zones: 2 to 6
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Moderate water
- 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.

**Benefits:** Wildlife, Birds, Fall color, Fast canopy, Fits small spaces, Pollinators

**Good for:** Small yard, parks, Reforestation, Yard shade

**Watch out for:** Short lived, Surface roots, Allergenic pollen

## 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.

## Where it stands

- **Native:** Germany; France; United Kingdom; Ireland; Sweden
- **Adapted:** TAS, Australia (Introduced per WCVP); New Zealand (Introduced and naturalised per WCVP)

## 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