The Silver Birch: Betula Pendula
The Silver Birch is a very beautiful tree, which is easily recognised by its graceful and delicate pendulous branches and its slender silver trunk.
Silver Birch – early summer Silver birch – autumn
The Silver Birch is a deciduous broadleaf tree, which usually grows to about 15m, but can reach 30m. It is fast-growing, and lives for 60-90 years.
Female catkins in the autumn
Each tree has male and female flowers called catkins. The male catkins, which start out as green, are covered with pollen in the spring, giving them a yellow appearance. The female flower grows from an upright bud into a drooping catkin about 3cm long. These produce winged seed cases after pollination. The cases are very lightweight, so the seeds can easily be dispersed by the wind.
Silver birch canopy – very light shade which allows plants to grow underneath
Because these trees have a very light, open canopy, they cast dappled shade. This allows varied plant growth beneath them.
The Silver Birch was revered by pagans, and considered to have sacred powers of renewal and purification – in ancient times the branches were used to expel evil spirits from miscreants and the insane.
The beautiful silver birch
The wood is used for tool handles, and the twigs are used to make garden brooms (besoms). At one time, the bark was used for tanning leather. The sap was used to treat kidney stones, and can be used to make beer or wine.
It is Finland’s national tree.
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12 Comments
Themax, posted this comment on Nov 6th, 2009
Very nice and beautiful share Thanks 
Jackie118, posted this comment on Nov 6th, 2009
They’re beautiful trees aren’t they? We have them growing in the field next door to our house and it’s fantastic during the summer to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon out in the garden with a good book and hear the wind rustling through them.
lillyrose, posted this comment on Nov 6th, 2009
Lovely article. I think just about everyone in the world may have heard of the silver birch, they are beautiful.
Christine Ramsay, posted this comment on Nov 6th, 2009
They are both such beautiful trees. A great article.
Christine
shanthu, posted this comment on Nov 6th, 2009
nice trees….
Guy Hogan, posted this comment on Nov 6th, 2009
The article and the photos were very relaxing. That’s what the beauty of nature does to me.
Lostash, posted this comment on Nov 7th, 2009
Beautiful trees! And they support a great deal of fungi too. Nice article.
Frosty Johnson, posted this comment on Nov 7th, 2009
Nice article Katien
Ruby Hawk, posted this comment on Nov 7th, 2009
I never used to like the silver birch but it has grown on me over the years. They are beautiful.
Ruby Hawk, posted this comment on Nov 17th, 2009
Lots of interesting information about birches, Silver birches are beautiful.
Francois Hagnere, posted this comment on Nov 18th, 2009
Very informative. Your photos are superb. These trees are so decorative. Thank you Katien.
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cutedrishti8, posted this comment on Nov 6th, 2009
Wonderful snaps