Paper Birch Tree | Betula papyrifera
Bark like peeling parchment
Grown by Mike
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
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Plant diary
- Flower
- Harvest
Paper Birch Tree
Betula papyrifera
- An elegant variety of birch tree appreciated for its paper-thin peeling bark
- A broadly conical, open branched tree, the paper birch has the traditional white peeling birch bark
- Fruits brown berries in summer, which will bring flocks of birds to your garden
- Features ovate, irregularly toothed, dark green leaves which turn bright yellow in Autumn
- Older Paper Birch trees develop attractive, peeling layers of bark
- In spring, tiny yellowish brown male flowers appear in drooping catkins, while greenish female flowers appear in upright catkins
- 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, Paper 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 Paper 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?
Paper 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?
Paper 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?
Paper 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?
Paper Birch Tree should be pruned in late summer or early autumn to prevent excessive sap bleeding.
How hardy is this plant?
Betula papyrifera is exceptionally hardy with an RHS rating of H7, surviving temperatures colder than -20°C in severe climates.
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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