Silver Birch Tree | Betula pendula
An iconic UK native species
Grown by Mike
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
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Order before midday for next day delivery
Currently out of stock
Currently out of stock
Pre-order for delivery by Early December
Currently out of stock
Pre-order for delivery by Early December
Pre-order for delivery by Early December
Currently out of stock
Order before 11pm for delivery within 3-5 working days
Pre-order for delivery by Late November
Order before 11pm for delivery within 3-5 working days
Order before 11pm for delivery within 3-5 working days
Order before midday for next day delivery
Plant diary
- Flower
- Harvest
Silver Birch Tree
Betula pendula
- Among the most iconic native trees, the silver birch makes an impact in any garden with its elegant silver-white bark and gracefully weeping branches.
- The silver bark sheds its layers like paper over time, developing contrasting dark fissures and cracks with age that make each tree wholly unique.
- Silver birch trees support over 300 insect species as well as moths and many diverse fungi. Hole-nesting birds such as woodpeckers make their homes in the trunk.
- Bright green, serrated leaves form a light, airy canopy which allows for underplanting, before turning a glowing golden yellow when autumn rolls around.
- Yellow and green catkins appear in April and May, hanging in clusters like lambs' tails. Their seeds are enjoyed by birds including siskins, greenfinches and redpolls.
- Silver birch improves your soil; it spreads its roots wide, bringing otherwise inaccessible nutrients into the tree. These are then transferred into the soil by falling leaves.
- In Celtic folklore, silver birch symbolised renewal and bundles of its twigs were used to drive out the spirits of the old year!
- Our trees are usually between 18 and 36 months old at the time of dispatch.
- Our trees are professionally pruned before dispatching.
- Our mature trees are grown in Air-Pots®, the only type of pot to completely eliminate root circling. A unique design stimulates air pruning for a mass of healthy fibrous roots, which results in a healthy tree that will establish quickly in your garden. With each Air-Pot® made to last up to 20 years, we reuse them on the nursery and wrap your mature tree in hessian for delivery - but if you’d rather keep your tree potted, simply add an Air-Pot® to your basket along with your tree.
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Flower colour
Habit
Hardiness
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, Silver Birch Tree can be grown in a very large pot (60-80cm), but its vigorous roots mean it is best planted in the ground after 3-5 years. Ensure it is kept well-watered in summer.
How big does it get?
The Silver Birch Tree typically reaches a height of 15 to 20 metres, with a spread of 8 to 10 metres, although it can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning.
How much sunlight does this need?
Silver Birch Tree prefers full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
Silver Birch Tree prefers moist to wet soil and can thrive in poorly drained areas. It is very hardy and can tolerate soil temperatures down to -15°C. A 5cm to 10cm layer of mulch helps retain moisture.
How much watering does this plant need?
Silver Birch Tree is a thirsty plant that requires frequent watering, needing approximately 20 to 30 litres per week. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist to wet, and water generously when temperatures exceed 20°C.
Will this plant need pruning?
Silver Birch Tree should be pruned in late summer or early autumn to prevent excessive sap bleeding.
How hardy is this plant?
Betula pendula is incredibly hardy with an RHS rating of H7, surviving temperatures below -20°C even in exposed upland locations in the UK.
The wider garden
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Meet Mike
Tree-growing skills honed right across the globe
Having started out in Australia, studied in Northern Ireland and volunteered at an organic farm in Sweden, it’s fair to say Mike’s done his fair share of travel on his horticultural journey, so far! Having happily laid down roots here at Roots, Mike is the don behind our tree-growing operation, imparting each and every one of his globally-honed skills to benefit your garden. Grown in our purpose-built nursery, in the ideal climatic conditions of the fertile Vale of Evesham, we’re proud to supply only the happiest, healthiest and hardiest trees.
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