Betula pendula, European white birch
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Betula pendula

European white birch

BetulaceaeEurope and western Siberia

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height40-60 feet (12-18 m)
Width25-35 feet (7.5-10.5 m)
Maturity18 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 8
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Overview

Betula pendula is a medium to large deciduous tree reaching 40–60 feet (12–18 m) tall and 25–35 feet (7.5–10.5 m) wide with a broadly pyramidal to oval crown and branches that become increasingly pendulous at the tips with age. Bark on young trees is silvery to orange-brown, becoming brilliant chalk-white on trunks 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) in diameter and larger, with distinctive black diamond-shaped markings at branch attachments and eventually developing irregular black fissures at the base of mature trunks. Leaves are triangular to rhombic (diamond-shaped), 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long, with doubly serrated margins and a long-pointed tip; they are bright green in summer, turning clear yellow in fall. Pendulous male catkins are visible through winter and elongate in March through April before leaf-out. European white birch is widely planted in Pacific Northwest landscapes for its chalk-white bark and graceful form. However, it is highly susceptible to bronze birch borer (Agrilus anxius), and trees in PNW lowland sites (particularly zone 8) routinely die from borer infestation within 15–25 years. Drought stress, soil compaction, and warm root zones all increase susceptibility. There is no effective cure once a tree is heavily infested. For long-lived white-bark effect in PNW gardens, Betula nigra 'Cully' (Heritage® river birch) is significantly more reliable. Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii is the preferred white-bark alternative for landscape settings where the European birch aesthetic is desired.

Native Range

Native to Europe and western Siberia, from Britain and Scandinavia east to Russia, and south to the Mediterranean region. Widely naturalized in North America where planted.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen or small grove tree in PNW landscapes for white bark and graceful pendulous form. Most effectively sited in cool, moist microclimates — north-facing slopes, sites with deep soil moisture, or the consistently cool coast ranges — to reduce bronze birch borer pressure. Not recommended for hot, dry inland lowland sites. For landscape settings where long-term white bark is the primary goal, Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii or Betula nigra 'Cully' are more reliable substitutes.

How to Identify

Identified by chalk-white bark with distinctive black diamond-shaped markings at branch attachment points and irregular black fissures at the base of mature trunks. Leaves are triangular to rhombic (diamond-shaped), 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm), with doubly serrated margins and a long-pointed tip — more distinctly triangular than Betula papyrifera. Branchlets become noticeably pendulous at the tips on mature trees. Distinguished from B. utilis ssp. jacquemontii by the black diamond-shaped bark markings (jacquemontii bark remains uniformly smooth white) and the more triangular leaf shape.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 60'
Width/Spread25' - 35'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

brown

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Pendulous male catkins are visible on bare branches through winter and elongate to 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) in March through April before leaf-out, releasing pollen. Smaller female catkins appear with the leaves, maturing into pendulous cylindrical seed catkins that release small winged nutlets in late summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

brown (male catkins)

Foliage Description

bright green in summer; clear yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandsilt
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

European white birch is highly susceptible to bronze birch borer in Pacific Northwest lowland settings — this is the primary management concern and the tree's most significant limitation in the region. Trees stressed by drought, heat, soil compaction, or root disturbance are particularly vulnerable. Provide consistent soil moisture; keep soil cool with 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) of mulch from the drip line inward (clear of the trunk). Avoid compacting or paving over root zones. Plant in cool, north- or east-facing sites with good air circulation where possible. Despite best care, trees in hot lowland sites with warm summers may still succumb to borer within 15–25 years. Annual inspection for D-shaped exit holes (1/8 inch / 3 mm) in upper branches is important; once the majority of the canopy is affected, the tree cannot be saved. For longer-lived white-bark trees, Betula nigra 'Cully' or B. utilis ssp. jacquemontii are strongly preferred.

Pruning

Prune in summer (June through August) or fall — avoid spring pruning as birches bleed heavily from wounds when sap is flowing (February through May). Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Minimal structural pruning is needed. Monitor regularly for bronze birch borer — early removal of infested upper branches (cutting 6–8 inches / 15–20 cm below the lowest D-shaped exit hole or S-shaped gallery) may slow decline if infestation is caught early.

Pruning Schedule

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summerfall

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic
Betula pendula (European white birch) - Identification & Care Guide | PlantRef