Birch
Betula pendula
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Description
The European birch (Betula pendula) is a deciduous tree of the genus Betula, in the family Betulaceae, native to most of Europe. Usually called simply the birch, it is a relatively small tree, with a slender trunk and crown. Its bark is pale brown, with fine, horizontal lenticels, and its twigs are slender and pliable.
Growing Details
Birch can be grown in almost any soil as long as it is not waterlogged. It prefers a moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil, rich in organic matter. Prefers a sunny position but tolerates light shade. Grows well on chalk. Succeeds in most soils, including heavy clay soils, but prefers a moist, well-drained slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter. Prefers a sunny position but tolerates light shade. Grows well on chalk. A very ornamental tree, there are many named varieties.
Edible Parts
Leaves
Sap
Inner Bark
Tags
Nitrogen Fixing
Carbon Farming
Fire Wood
Building Wood
Erosion Preventing
Bee Friendly
Visual Appeal
Easy Propagating
Tea
Range (Based on GBIF Data)
The map shows known occurrence points of Betula pendula recorded in scientific biodiversity databases.
Source: GBIF.org — Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Location & Timing
Geolocation: Krcedin
Region: Europe - Panonian plain
Language: english
Native: Yes
Flowering:
beginning
of April for 60 days
Fruiting:
?
Seed Start:
beginning
of July
Indoor Start:
Transplant:
Uses & Benefits
Edible Rating:
(1/5)
Edible Uses: The inner bark can be eaten raw or cooked, and is rich in vitamins and minerals. It can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickener in soups or added to cereals
Medicinal Rating:
(3/5)
Medicinal Uses:
Health Concerns:
Other Uses: Wood - light, soft, not strong, close grained, takes a good polish. Used for furniture, interior joinery, turnery, veneer, paper pulp etc. The wood is a source of wood rosin. A good fuel, it burns rapidly with a good heat. The wood is sometimes used as a substitute for alder (Alnus glutinosa) in the making of charcoal. Young trees can be coppiced and the resulting wood is used for small objects requiring a very fine grain. The bark is a good source of tannin. It is used commercially in the tanning of leather. The wood and bark are used in herbal medicine. The inner bark is rich in vitamins and minerals and can be eaten raw or cooked. It can also be dried and ground into a powder then used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereals. The young leaves are used as a salad green, they should be used before they unfurl. The leaves and buds are used in herbal medicine.
Scientific Literature
Loading scientific articles about Betula pendula...
Botanical Data
Specie: Betula pendula
Common Names: Breza, common birch
Family: Betulaceae
Sub Family: Coryloideae
Tribe: Coryleae
Sub Tribe: Coryleae
Genus: Betula
Growing Conditions
Area Needed: 5.0 m
Spacing: 3.0 m
Growing Difficulty: Low
Deciduous / Evergreen: Evergreen
Seed Temp (Opt/Min/Max): 15°C / 15°C / 30°C
Plant Temp (Opt/Min/Max): 15°C / -30°C / 30°C
Water: Low
Humidity:
Light: High
Root Type: Shallow
Frost Tender: Low
Hardness:
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▁
▁
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▁
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(5/10)
First Harvest: 2 years
Lifespan: 100 years
Succession:
Growth Rate: Fast
Max Height: 30.0 m
Max Width: 10.0 m
Soil Preference:
pH Preference:
Flower Type:
Monoecious
Growth Details: Birch can be grown in almost any soil as long as it is not waterlogged. It prefers a moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil, rich in organic matter. Prefers a sunny position but tolerates light shade. Grows well on chalk. Succeeds in most soils, including heavy clay soils, but prefers a moist, well-drained slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter. Prefers a sunny position but tolerates light shade. Grows well on chalk. A very ornamental tree, there are many named varieties.
Potential Disturbances: birch canker, bronze birch borer, birch sawfly, birch skeletonizer, gypsy moth
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