Overview
- Stunning medium sized birch
- Crisp, white bark
- Attractive as a group
- Wildlife interest
- Size after 10 years : 6m x 4m
Description
This variety of birch, Betula utilis jacquemontii, is native to the Himalayas, as indicated in its common name. It is commonly planted in urban and highway settings for its attractive form and crisp white bark. There are several varieties of Himalayan birch however the jacquemontii is probably the most popular ornamental.
The simple leaves are ovate with delicately toothed edges. Male and female catkins develop in the spring, adding their own hue to the tree's overall colouring. The peeling bark is an intense white that throws light into its environment.
This tree can be expected to reach between 15-20m in height at maturity.
Planting Position
This variety will tolerate full sun or partial shade. Like most birch it is fairly cosmopolitan in its soil preferences and soil pH but does prefer moist and well drained sites. The West Himalayan birch is suitable for most gardens and urban environments and is particularly attractive when planted as a group.
Attributes
The stunning bark is probably this tree’s best feature; however, birch trees have a plethora of assets both visually and as environmental ambassadors. They improve the soil environment they are grown in and attract many insects and birds.
Size
Height and spread after 10 years : 6m x 4m
Container options are available here
Betula utilis jacquemontii | Himalayan Birch Tree | Bare Root
Whilst smaller trees are often cheaper, easier to handle and more forgiving in terms of their level of care required, a more mature tree can provide a fantastic instant impact if you are able to care for it over the first few years.
- Standard or Feathered?
Standard trees - have a clear stem up to a minimum of 1.8m and a well-formed head of branches.
Feathered trees - Usually has an upright central leader and side brancehs that emerge down the main stem.
- Which Girth Size Should I Choose?
Our most common sizes we offer are relatively easy to ship and plant. The measurement is the circumference of the trunk at 1m above the roots.
6-8cm girth - 2.50m to 2.75m in height
8-10cm girth - 2.75m to 3.00m in height
- Standard or Feathered?
I ordered a bare root tree. I will assume it breaks dormancy in the spring. It looked a reasonable amount of root, but the trunk was not straight. This looks particularly bad as it's the front replacement tree of 3 in a triangle.