• Native to the UK
• Interesting bark
• Brilliant for wildlife
• Hardy tree often used as a pioneer species
• Size after 10 years : 6m x 4m
 
Description
The Silver Birch tree, also known as 'Lady of the Woods, is a medium-sized deciduous tree that owes its common name to the white peeling bark on the trunk. This graceful tree has slender and often pendulous branches and roughly triangular leaves with serrated edges. This lovely native tree provides fantastic year-round interest with leaves that turn from bright green in spring through to bright yellow in the autumn before they fall. The flowers are catkins and the light, winged seed get widely scattered by the wind. The silver birch is a hardy tree; a pioneer species and one of the first trees to appear on bare or fire swept land.
 
It typically reaches a height of 15- 25m.
 
Planting Position
Suitable for most locations and soil types, although prefers light soils. Silver Birch works well in cleared forest areas and waste land. It can also used as an attractive specimen tree in a garden.
 
Attributes
Silver Birch trees provide food and habitat for more than 300 insects, ranging from aphids which then attract ladybirds, to caterpillars. They are also known for specific fungi, including birch brittlegrill, chanterelle and razor strop to name a few. Woodpeckers often nest in holes in the trunk, and the seeds attract siskins, greenfinches and redpolls.
 
Size 
Height and spread after 10 years : 6m x 4m
 
Bareroot options are available here