White birch, Brown Birch, Downy birch, Hairy birch
Betula pubescens

Family: Betulaceae

What it is like

A tree which loses its leaves during the year. It grows to 24 m high. It spreads 9 m wide. The bark is cream brown. There is fine down on the young twigs. The branches are twisting and do not hang down. The crown is rounded. The leaves are triangular shaped and have an irregular edge. They are 6 cm long and 5 cm across. The leaf stalk is slender and hairy. The female catkins are smaller and more erect than the male catkins. The male catkins are 6 cm long and yellow.

There are about 60 Betula species. They grow in cool north temperate climates.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It can tolerate more poorly drained soil. It grows in wetter soils and damp uplands. It is frost resistant. It is damaged by drought. Hobart Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 2-9. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Arctic (country/location of origin), Asia, Australia, Belarus, Britain, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, France, Germany, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Middle East, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine

How it is used for food

The sap is rich in sugar. It can be tapped in spring and made into birch wine by adding honey. The buds are used as flavouring in drinks.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, sap

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate easily.

Its other names

Local names

Bjork, Bereza, Byoa, Byola, Puhasta breza

Synonyms

Betula glabra; Betula populifolia;