Woody > Betula > Betula albosinensis > Betula albosinensis
Betula albosinensis
Chinese Paper Birch
Origin: Western China.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Among the most beautiful of all birches, this little known species is underused in the landscape. It has exquisite bark that few other trees can compete with. The concern is the pests, but with adequate moisture during summer droughts the tree can provide many years of enjoyment.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Betulaceae |
| Genus |
| Betula |
| Species |
| albosinensis |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (deciduous) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 3 - 6 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 1a - 5b |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -40 - (-14) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -40 - 0 |
| Height |
| 20 m |
| Spread |
| 5 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| A common tree, grown for its clear white bark. It is now somewhat problematic in the Ontario landscape due to drought, birch borer and birch minor, still however a good tree. |
| Landscape |
| As an accent or specimen plant. |
| Cultivation |
| Easy to grow where summer moisture is sufficient. Short lived (50 years). |
| Shape |
| Rounded. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| Characteristic clear white bark, obovate, finely toothed leaves. |
| Pests |
| There has been some discussion of this species resistence to bronze birch borer. However, I am still reserving judgement on this since more observation in required. Plant expecting to relish with care even into maturity. |
| Habitat |
| Mountain slopes and lowlands of China. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Orange to yellow brown exfoliating bark that is often glaucous underneath. |
| Leaf Description |
| Dark yellow-green in summer changing to yellow in the autumn. Alternate, ovate to ovate-oblong 5-7.5 cm long, doubly serrate, dark green above, light green and glandular below. |
| Colour Description |
| Good autumn colour in most years, pale yellow. |
| Texture Description |
| A medium textured tree. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Weldon Library, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario. Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. |
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