Betula utilis
var. utilis
Himilayan Birch
Family |
Betulaceae |
Genus |
Betula |
Species |
utilis |
Category |
Woody |
Type |
Tree (deciduous) |
Variety |
utilis |
USDA Hardiness Zone |
6a |
Canadian Hardiness Zone |
5a |
RHS Hardiness Zone |
H7 |
Temperature (°C) |
-23 |
Temperature (°F) |
-10 |
Height |
5 - 15 m |
Landscape |
An excellent specimen tree. |
Cultivation |
Very hardy, but prefers a deep, well-draining loam soil. |
Growth |
Fast |
Pests |
Prone to attack by several bracket fungi, as well as mildew and birch rust. |
Bark/Stem Description |
Bark is thin, pink to orange brown, bloomed white, peeling in horizontal papery flakes. Twigs are red-brown in autumn. |
Leaf Description |
Leaves are dark green above, paler beneath, turning golden-yellow in autumn, growing to 5-12 x 3-7 cm, with veins in 10-14 pairs. |
Flower Description |
Male catkins to 12 cm. |
Fruit Description |
Catkins to 2.5-3.5 cm x 10.12 mm. |
Notable Specimens |
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. |
Propagation |
Propagate by seed, with light present for germination, although seeds may not come true. Can also be propagated through side-veneer grafts in late winter. |