Silver Birch - Betula pendula

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Description

Erect tree to 30 metres. Bark silvery white in more mature trees and peeling. Leaves triangular and irregularly toothed, with drooping twigs. The yellow male catkins yellowish are present during winter, maturing with the leaves and then drooping. The female flower stands erect however.

Similar Species

Downy Birch Betula pubescens

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Woods and heaths.

When to see it

April and May.

Life History

Deciduous.

UK Status

Quite common throughout Britain.

VC55 Status

Quite common in Leicestershire and Rutland. In the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire it was found in 312 of the 617 tetrads.

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  • stepgray4
    Wymeswold Plantation
    15 May 2021
  • stepgray4
    Ulverscroft NR
    26 September 2021
  • stepgray4
    Launde Park Wood
    19 April 2021
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    23 April 2008
    Female Flower
  • Saharima Roenisch
    Beacon Hill Country Park
    15 April 2017
  • Steve Mathers
    Beacon Hill Country Park (Western Part)
    07 November 2016
  • Graham Calow
    Broughton Astley, Hallbrook Road
    16 April 2021
    Swedish Birch (Betula pendula 'Dalecarlica' )

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

  • Saharima Roenisch
    Beacon Hill Country Park
    15 April 2017
  • stepgray4
    Stoke Dry Wood
    01 May 2021
  • Saharima Roenisch
    Evington Park
    25 June 2017
  • Graham Calow
    Narborough Road, Cosby
    12 April 2016
    catkins
  • Graham Calow
    Witherley
    27 May 2015
  • Ahmed
    Hinckley Road/ Leicester
    14 July 2020
  • stepgray4
    Burbage Common and Woods
    02 May 2021
  • Saharima Roenisch
    Spinney Hill Park
    30 July 2017
  • Graham Calow
    Narborough Road, Cosby
    17 June 2016
  • Craig Mabbett
    Lutterworth Country Park
    08 April 2021
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    23 April 2008
    Male Flowers (Catkins)
  • Graham Calow
    Broughton Astley, Hallbrook Road
    16 April 2021
    Swedish Birch (Betula pendula 'Dalecarlica' )
  • Alan Semper
    Harby churchyard
    08 July 2012
  • Graham Calow
    Cosby Golf Club
    05 February 2016
  • Graham Calow
    Witherley
    27 May 2015
  • Saharima Roenisch
    Altar Stones
    01 January 2018
  • Saharima Roenisch
    Bradgate Park
    09 January 2017
  • Saharima Roenisch
    Altar Stones
    01 January 2018
  • Saharima Roenisch
    Evington Park
    25 June 2017
  • Graham Calow
    Stoney Stanton
    01 February 2016
  • Melinda Bell
    Albert Village,Pick Triangle
    30 November 2021