Birch (Downy)
Betula pubescens
Synonyms: Birch (European white), Birch (Moor), Birch (White)
Native range
Native to all parts of the British Isles.
Provenance choice
British seed sources of good form should be preferred. On equivalent sites it
tends to be slower growing and have poorer stem form than silver birch.
Site requirements
A light demanding pioneer species with moderate early height growth which is
frost resistant and windfirm. Found on moister soils of very poor to medium
nutrient status and it is one of the broadleaved species that can grow on peaty
soils. It is also found in mixture with both broadleaves and conifers.
Pests and pathogens
Rust pathogen Melamsporidium betulinum is considered important on
birch in several European countries, associated with retarded height growth and
increased mortality. Provenance and environmental conditions play a role in
infection levels. Fungal pathogens Discula betulina and Anisogramma
virgultorum may also be damaging. Betula is also rated as very
susceptible to Armillaria root rot (honey fungus).Timber characteristics
The heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, with nearly white sapwood.
There is virtually no color distinction between annual growth rings, giving birch a somewhat dull, uniform appearance. The timber has similar strength properties
to oak but is not as durable. Birch is perishable and will readily rot and decay if exposed to the elements. Use
Common uses are plywood, boxes, crates, turned objects, interior trim, and other small specialty wood items. In Britain, the trees do not grow large enough to provide large-diameter logs but can be used in furniture, veneers, plywood and pulp; the wood also makes good firewood. Birch can be planted to improve soil quality; the roots grow very deep underground and draw up nutrients into the leaves and branches. When the leaves fall, any unused nutrients are made available to the rest of the forest through recycling. Birch is also valuable as a nursing tree to protect oak, beech or frost-tender conifers. This species is likely to increase in importance, particularly as a component
of spruce dominated forests in western Britain.
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