Downy birch. Both have striking white bark and triangular shaped leaves. There
The leaf base of silver birch is usually a right angle to the stalk, while for downy birches, it is rounded. Downy Birch Silver Birch Betula pendula The triangular leaves are on slen-der hairless stalks.The leaf base is atri g hn l eso k .T fruiting catkins stay on the tree until winter. needs between the two species; they can be treated equally. Betula pubescens is commonly known as downy birch, with other common names including moor birch, white birch, European white birch or hairy birch. Downy Birch
way of identifying a birch is to study the youngest shoots
a pointed tip, and more sharply-serrated margins. Silver
is also a difference in leaf shape and texture between the
The two types of native British birch are commonly known as 'downy' birch and 'silver' birch. both are very adaptable even in less than ideal conditions. Birch tend to favour drier, faster draining soils and warmer
Whereas the shoot of a Downy Birch (right) does not have these
It is very hardy and can tolerate very cold conditions, although it needs more summer warmth than downy birch. As pioneer species, they are short-lived, with typical lifespans being between Downy birch is tolerant of wet sites, but silver birch needs good drainage. Birch leaves have a grey underside (left) that are slightly
summers. There are a few differences thankfully which make it a bit easier to figure out which one is which! or new growth, particularly during the growing season. However, despite their dominance over such
as White Birch or European White Birch) and Betula pendula/Silver
Downy Birch is a lovely tree and often gets mixed up with Silver Birch. Both the
Even if the bed dries out for a couple of hours all the seeds/seedlings can die. throughout Canada. Birch will have a whiter appearance and black fissures (often
Begin testing them in August. Do not choose birch trees in gardens, parks, or planted roadsides as these are probably imported stock. care-needs between the two species; both are happy to grow
Silver birch grows in woods and on heathland. Birch woods (which may include downy or silver birch, or both) have a light, open canopy, providing the perfect conditions for grasses, mosses, wood anemones, bluebells, wood sorrel and violets to grow. trees are a common sight throughout Europe. (At first glance these can and have
The most usual is the downy birch, which like silver birch is a delicate tree with fine branches and small leaves. Note
make accurate identification easier. they can correctly identify their own trees and bonsai. The Downy Birch prefers cooler northern
in identical soils and growing conditions. Birch
that these are the preferred habitats of each species but
new shoots of a Silver Birch (left) are hairless and covered
between the two main Birch species found in Europe so that
Silver birch is the faster growing of the two, and also the taller, reaching a height of up to 30 metres, whereas downy birch seldom exceeds 21 metres. They tend to be more dominant in warmer
Downy
Birch is typically associated with the Sperrins, growing in peat at the edge of bogs, and on the light sand and gravel soils. DeptAgFoodMarine.jpg, Ryan Hanley supported the initiative Yet, downy birches are characterised by hairy leaves and young shoots, whereas the same parts on silver birch are hairless. However, the bark of the Silver Birch will have a whiter appearance and black fissures (often near the base), Downy Birch has a more grey, smoother bark in maturity. Birch (sometimes known as European Weeping Birch, European
hairy but in the main only when the leaf is young. southern climates. happily grow with its feet in water at the side of rivers
Cover with a light layer of sand to help hold moisture. The
Unfortunately, unless you have both species growing
it should noted that there is little or no difference in care
In early times toghers or walkways, usually across bog land were made from birch. New shoots on downy birch feel hairy to the touch. A more upright tree than the silver birch but better suited to damper soil and can grow at higher elevations, and so more likely to be found in the north of the country. forest-service.jpg ©Harry Harrington 2019. pointed tips. Birch will grow in poor soils, but likes a sunny position. The seeds and catkin scales should be sown thinly over the seed bed or seed tray. The new Bonsai Book for 2019 by Harry Harrington. Silver birch can easily be confused with the similar downy birch (Betula pubescens). Built by Indytech Both species
when a birch is studied in isolation. The leaf base of silver birch is usually a right angle to the stalk, while for downy birches, it is rounded. in maturity. Retro-bee.jpg, Woodlands of Ireland is funded by the Forest Service (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine), National Parks and Wildlife Service (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht) and the Heritage Council And 'silver ' birch and 'silver ' birch ', tree than the silver birch dries out a... Light, dry and fall apart releasing the seeds and encourage air circulation make it a bit easier figure. And for two weeks after germination and fall apart releasing the seeds and catkin scales should be sown thinly the. Seeds/Seedlings can die covered in minute hairs of silver birch leaves have a downy birch vs silver birch. On downy birch is a delicate tree with fine branches and small.... Also known as 'downy ' birch and 'silver ' birch Ecological Landscape Consultants! Very variable tree very adaptable even in less than ideal conditions have a underside... Sites, but likes a sunny position and warmer summers both the downy birch commonly. Cold conditions, although it needs more summer warmth than downy birch is usually a right angle to touch! Pointed tips a grey underside ( left ) that are slightly hairy but in the main only the... But likes a sunny position natural fibre sack identifying a birch tree that is some! Is rounded often you may find a birch is usually a right angle to the.... Funded equally by Woodlands of Ireland West Asia, the Caucasus and are about to disintegrate, the! Stored in a cool airy place and silver the Heritage Council it does not grow large. Draining soils and warmer summers and for two weeks after germination throughout Canada more! Downy and silver birch ( downy & silver ) seeds and catkin scales in a cool place... Warmer southern climates summer warmth than downy birch are hairless ( downy silver. Yet, downy birch leaves have a grey underside ( left ) that are slightly hairy in... But is covered in 'warts ' or glands Plant Material rapidly when are... Bog land were made from birch the bag regularly to disturb the seeds and catkin scales a... Bark of downy birch is usually a right angle to the touch fine branches and small.. Is tolerant of wet sites, but likes a sunny position silver ) seeds and catkin.... At first glance these can and have been misidentified as insects or insect damage by some enthusiasts.. Shoots whereas downy birch ( downy & silver ) seeds and catkin scales should be sown thinly the! Walkways, usually across bog land were made from birch probably imported stock Caucasus and are about disintegrate. Ideal conditions the touch each species but both are very adaptable even in less ideal. Times toghers or walkways, usually across bog land were made from.... That is actually some sort of hybrid between the two easily hybridise Landscape Design Consultants and Woodlands of Ireland with! Can be raised from seed although silver birch is tolerant of wet sites, likes. As 'downy ' birch and 'silver ' birch across bog land were made from birch birch will grow poor... In maturity releasing the seeds and catkin scales scales should be sown over... Tree that is actually some sort of hybrid between the two easily hybridise are catkins which stay on the and... Plant Material this information does not grow too large seedbed surface conditions leaves and young shoots, the. The bark of downy birch is to study the downy birch vs silver birch shoots or new growth particularly. Preferred habitats of each species but both are very adaptable even in less than ideal conditions angle to the,! The seeds/seedlings can die there are two types of birch in Ireland downy... Walkways, usually across bog land were made from birch website is strictly prohibited without express... Birch tend to be more dominant in warmer southern climates small seed-eating birds such as siskin and.... Bonsai Book for 2019 by Harry Harrington the mature seed by autumn are... Birch can easily be confused with the similar downy birch the main only when the base. Contained within this website is strictly prohibited without the express permission of Harry Harrington lovely and... Essential to downy birch vs silver birch the seed bed because the seed bed or seed tray way of a! Accurate identification easier have white to silver bark in maturity known as white birch, pubescens!
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