Silver Birch
Betula pendula · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Betulaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Ornamental, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 7
About This Tree
Slender, upright young tree with an open crown, graceful weeping branchlets, and smooth reddish-brown bark transitioning to white with age.
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, simple, triangular to diamond-shaped leaves, 2 to 5 cm long, with doubly serrate margins and a pointed apex, bright green turning yellow in autumn
Bark Characteristics
Smooth reddish-brown to dark brown on young stems like the one pictured, later developing iconic chalk-white bark with dark fissures at the base
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and parts of Asia, widely adapted to temperate zones
Growing Season
Spring leafing, catkin flowering in mid-spring, autumn golden-yellow coloration, winter dormancy
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred, moderate watering needs once established, moderate drought tolerance
Mature Size
Expected mature height of 15 to 25 meters, spread of 10 meters, fast growth rate, lifespan around 60 to 100 years
Special Characteristics
Pioneer species, high pollution tolerance, graceful ornamental form, delicate drooping branches
Wildlife & Ecology
Supports numerous insect species including caterpillars and aphids, which in turn feed birds; seeds are consumed by finches and small mammals