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Betula pendula

Betula pendula

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Plantae
Order
Fagales
Family
Betulaceae
Genus
BETULA
Species
pendula
Synonyms
silver birch, weeping birch, warty birch

Habitat / Home / Areal

It is widespread in Western, Northern and Southern Europe and in parts of Asia. It grows singly or in small groups, in some places it forms almost pure stands, which gave the place its name (Brezova kosa near Moslavačka gora, Brezovo polje near Psunj, Brezovačko polje near Plitvice). We find it from the hilly belt up to 1900 m above sea level, on fresh, sandy, clayey and stony, acidic soils poor in nutrients.

Botanical description

Habitus: deciduous tree. It grows up to 30 meters in height. The trunk is slender, especially when young, but with age it thickens to 40-60 cm in diameter. The root system is deep, with highly branched lateral veins 

Flower: monoecious, collected in catkins. Male flowers are produced during autumn, initially upright, later hanging catkins 10 cm long and without a stem, the flowers are slightly distributed. Female flowers, 2-4 cm long, appear in upright catkins and stalks about 2 cm long, but only in spring, their flowers are compacted.

Leaf: alternate, initially sticky on both sides, 3.5-7 cm long, 2-4 cm wide, triangular with double-serrated edges and strongly pointed at the top, they are on 2-3 cm long petioles that are located on long, thin, hanging twigs.

Growth conditions / Cultivation / Care

Deep humus soil, moist and well-drained places; normal, slightly alkaline soil; moderate climate; sunny habitat

Gallery

Use / Function and landscape

The wood is yellowish-white to light brown, with a fine texture, suitable for processing, although it is not of high quality and is not resistant to rotting and pest attack. It is used to make veneers, to make furniture and doors.

Special use

Because of its pronounced white bark, it is often planted in parks, especially when it grows in dense groups, it looks imposing.

Reproduction

It is propagated by seeds and vegetatively.

Varieties

B. pendula ‘Dalecarlica’

B. pendula ‘Gracilis’

B. pendula ‘Fastigiata’

B. pendula ‘Purpurea’