Weeping Silver Birch or Betula Utilis Pendula is a wonderfully graceful deciduous tree with silvery delicate leaves and a striking white bark stem. must hang ~ as versus upright] weeping trees by their nature. Native to the Himalayas, it is medium-sized with an open habit and pyramidal shape. The Betula or more commonly known Birch are a genus of around 60 species of deciduous [their leaves fall off in winter, in short] trees that grow extremely well in our Irish climate. All of our photosynthetic friends have in them at least one outstanding trait for which we want to grow them. Weakened birches become very vulnerable to the bronze birch borer which, in the St. Louis area, typically infects and kills trees that are stressed by summer heat and humidity. Although it prefers full sun in its native habitat, in St. Louis, it is best sited in a northern or eastern exposure that receives some afternoon shade. Female flowers are followed by drooping cone-like fruits containing numerous small winged seeds that typically mature in early autumn. You might be surprised. this I should add and double underline, is something that is so very important and really should be considered when first selecting and choosing the trees for purchase. To these two fellows: The difference between Betula utilis and Betula pendula – couldn’t be that much ? While young trees have a rich brown bark, it quickly changes to gleaming snow-white as the tree matures. It is a medium sized tree that typically grows to 30-40’ (sometimes to 60-70') tall with an open pyramidal habit. Bloom Description: Yellowish brown (male) and green (female). But, like all things great, you get what you pay for and there is always a reason why one is cheaper than the other as I will discuss shortly. Ovate, double-serrate, yellow-green to green leaves (to 2-3" long) turn golden in fall. Tiny monoecious flowers appear in late spring in separate catkins on the same tree: yellowish-brown male flowers in drooping catkins (to 3-5” long) and greenish female flowers in much smaller, upright catkins (to 1.5” long). In this case, it is without question the birch’s bark. It needs consistently moist soils. Technically the main differences between the variety and the species are that the variety has fewer vein pairs per leaf (7-9 pairs for the variety and 10-14 pairs for the species) and whiter bark. jacquemontii, is a popular and extremely ornamental silver birch. It bears almost shimmering white bark, which peels each year to reveal a fresh layer beneath. It is named after French naturalist Victor Jacquemont (1801-1832). Series 1, Episode 2 – Tipperary, DIY SOS Ireland, RTE. Betula utilis is native to the Himalayas where it was discovered by Joseph Hooker in 1849. The main trait of the Betual Pendula types is that they are all [think about it… pendula, pendulum ~ ie. Avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running. Series 1, Episode 1 – Limerick, Garden Webinar: Winter Beauty and Planning, Rescheduled: RHS Hampton Court Palace, 10 – 15 September 2020, recommended: Betula utilis ‘Jacquemontii’. Plants stressed by insects seem more susceptible to cankers. Far more important than that however is that they have a glitch, a flaw in their character. swing ~ ie. I have 5 in my garden – worth every single cent and centimetre . go against gravity] by their appearance and habit and can grow to about 60′ tall. The Himalayan birch is an absolute stunner. It needs little pruning, but if necessary, prune during the dormant season. Ovate, double-serrate, yellow-green to green leaves (to 2-3" long) turn golden in fall. Tree Planting: Dublin, Private Back Garden, DIY SOS Ireland, RTE. Series 1, Episode 3 – Leixlip, DIY SOS Ireland, RTE. Unlike Betula papyrifera, the bark of Betula penduladoes not exfoliate much. Its oval, dark green leaves turn gold in autumn before falling. Sometimes commonly called white-barked Himalayan birch.Genus name is the Latin name for birch.Specific epithet from Latin means useful. jacquemontii is a variety from the western Himalayas (Kashmir to central Nepal) that is most noted for its exceptionally white bark. Native to the Himalaya, Betula utilis var. Betula papyrifera- The bark is nearly pure white, and it peels away in large thing sheets, exposing orangish undertones. Asking for a Birch, just like any plant, needs to be a lot more definitive. In addition, Japanese beetles may significantly damage the foliage. Your email address will not be published. Betula utilisis native to the Himalayas where it was discovered by Joseph Hooker in 1849. jacquemontii (Himalayan Birch), which is prized for its brilliant and exceptionally white bark, is a lovely addition to the landscape. It thrives in cool northern summers, but does poorly in the heat and humidity of St. Louis. The Betula or more commonly known Birch are a genus of around 60 species of deciduous [their leaves fall off in winter, in short] trees that grow extremely well in our Irish climate. Although these birches have some susceptibility to aphids, birch leaf miner, birch skeletonizer and dieback, these problems are usually considered to be somewhat minor in comparison to the birch borer. jacquemontii, Betula ermanii, Betula dahurica, Betula albosinensis, Betula nigra. River birch is a better selection for St. Louis. Latin Name : Betula utilis D. Don Pennel A moderate sized tree with papery brownish-white bark found in groups at timberline in Himalayas. The utilis types are upright [ ie. In the not so pretty department, it’s not only the bark that’s a bit brutish in appearance and touch as you’ll find the stems of its foliage suffer a similar effect.In comparison, it can be a little scraggy, depending, and just doesn’t cut the mustard in the same way the Betula utilis ‘jacquemontii’ does. The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers. Like the way I’ve never not met a Jack Russell without a dodgy back leg; as the tree matures it’s bark cracks and the newly maturing and indented creases of the bark then turn to black. In St. Louis, this birch is best grown in medium to wet, well-drained, sandy or rocky loams in full sun to part shade. Strip the lower branches bare, like a telegraph pole and try as best as possible to retain only one leader. Tall, slender and elegant, they lavishly exhibit their peeling bark in a rich display of stark white, salmon-pink, copper, cinnamon-red or glistening chestnut brown. Previous Next. Although bark color can be variable, many authorities consider the bark from this variety to be the whitest found on any birch. In the St. Louis area, this birch grows poorly and is generally short-lived. The wounds will heal over and what may [possibly] seem a little unfair will pay its dividends. Few trees are more spectacular in winter than birches (Betula). As it matures from a young main stem to a tree like trunk its skin peels and develops from a rusty orange tinged brown to a soft pinkish white, then further maturing to a bright smooth as you like, white paper skin. That said they can still grow up to 80′ tall. The key to developing that white bark all over is the crown raising. Required fields are marked *, https://doneganlandscaping.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Peter-Donegan-Garden-Design-1030x213.png. Var. The thin layers of bark are used in Ayurveda. It’s got more than 60 relations of the same second name remember. Consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist. Your email address will not be published. Betula Utilis Medicinal … Not recommended for the St. Louis climate. In the British Isles, there is some difference between the environments of Betula pendula and Betula pubescens, and some hybridization, though both are "opportunists in steady-state woodland systems". Performs best in cool northern climates (USDA Zones 5 and 6) where root zones are often covered with snow in the winter.