Betula utilis jacquemontii 'Snow Queen' is one of our most popular birches. This variety of birch is native to the Himalayas. Commonly planted in urban and highway settings for its attractive form and crisp white bark, it also makes a fantastic ornamental garden specimen. 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. At maturity, the tree can be expected to reach up to 12m in height.
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 trees’ 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
After Care Tips
Ensure your tree is planted with a good sturdy stake to support it in the first couple of years, after which it can be removed. Water generously in times of drought and add a good layer of mulch to prevent it from drying out in summer.
Birches generally require little maintenance and are happily left alone to grow. If you want to carry out any pruning, for instance, to remove any damaged, crossing or diseased branches, make sure you do this between late summer and mid-winter when the sap is not rising.
Container options are available here
Betula utilis jacquemontii 'Snow Queen' | Himalayan Birch Tree | Bare Root
- Best selling tree
- Stunning birch with crisp, white bark
- Fantastic for group planting
- RHS Award of Garden Merit
- Size after 10 years : 6m x 4m
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?
