What hardiness zones is Betula pendula 'Dalecarlica' suitable for?

Betula pendula 'Dalecarlica' is cutleaf weeping birch (Swedish birch), a deciduous tree growing 40-60 feet (12-18 m) tall and 20-30 feet (6-9 m) wide with a strongly weeping habit. Silvery-white bark with black diamond-shaped patches at branch junctions. Deeply dissected (laciniate) medium green leaves with long narrow pointed segments 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) long, giving a finely cut lacy texture — much finer than the triangular leaves of the species type. Turns clear yellow in fall. Brown pendulous male catkins 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm) in April-May. In Betulaceae. Originally found in Dalarna province, central Sweden — a naturally occurring form of B. pendula. Combines the white bark and weeping habit of the species with a finer leaf texture. Susceptible to bronze birch borer (Agrilus anxius) — the same limitation as the species. Short-lived in zones 6-7 (15-25 years) due to combined borer and heat stress. Leaf miner (Fenusa pusilla) disfigures the foliage. Not drought-tolerant. Taxonomic note: the true 'Dalecarlica' is a single clone from Sweden; trees sold under this name may be seedlings or the similar cultivar 'Laciniata'. Non-toxic. Zones 2-7. Full sun. Growth rate is moderate to fast.

Native Range

Originally found in Dalarna province, central Sweden. A naturally occurring form of B. pendula. The species B. pendula is native to Europe and western Siberia.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen tree in residential gardens spaced 20-30 feet (6-9 m). White bark. Weeping form. Finely cut foliage. Yellow fall color. Short-lived in zones 6-7 (borer) — consider B. nigra 'Cully' as a borer-resistant alternative. Non-toxic. Zones 2-7.

How to Identify

Identified by deeply dissected (laciniate) medium green leaves with long narrow pointed segments on a weeping tree with silvery-white bark and black diamond-shaped patches. The deeply cut leaf shape distinguishes 'Dalecarlica' from the species type (triangular uncut leaves). The white bark with black diamonds and weeping habit are shared with the species. In Betulaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 60'

Width/Spread20' - 30'

Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years

Colors

Flower Colors

brown

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

Early spring (April-May). Brown pendulous male catkins 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm). Female catkins smaller, erect. 2 weeks of catkin display. Wind-pollinated. Small cylindrical seed catkins disintegrate in fall.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Brown male catkins 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm) long, pendulous; female catkins smaller, erect

Foliage Description

Medium green, deeply dissected (laciniate) with long narrow pointed segments giving a finely cut lacy texture, 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) long; the dissected leaves distinguish this cultivar from the species type; turns clear yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 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

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained acidic to neutral soil pH 5.0-7.0. Not drought-tolerant. Susceptible to bronze birch borer — short-lived in zones 6-7. Leaf miner disfigures foliage. Prune only in summer (June-August) — heavy sap bleeding otherwise. Non-toxic. Zones 2-7.

Pruning

Prune only in summer (June-August) to avoid heavy sap bleeding. Remove dead, crossing, or damaged branches. Crown dieback (top-down branch death) indicates bronze birch borer — consult an arborist. The weeping branch tips are the natural form — do not remove.

Pruning Schedule

summer

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic