Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii, Himalayan white birch
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii

Himalayan white birch

Betulaceae

Western Himalayas — Afghanistan, Pakistan, northwestern India, Nepal; 8,000-14,000 feet (2,400-4,300 m) elevation

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height30-50 feet (9-15 m)
Width20-35 feet (6-10.5 m)
Maturity18 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
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 utilis ssp. jacquemontii is a medium to large deciduous tree reaching 30–50 feet (9–15 m) tall and 20–35 feet (6–10.5 m) wide with an upright, broadly oval to pyramidal crown. It is prized for having the most brilliantly white bark of any commonly grown ornamental birch — pure, dazzling white that exfoliates in papery sheets and remains smooth and uniformly white throughout the trunk's life, without the black diamond-shaped markings and basal fissuring characteristic of Betula pendula. Young stems are orange-brown, becoming gleaming white on trunks 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) in diameter and wider. Leaves are ovate to broadly ovate with simply to doubly serrated margins, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long, dark green in summer, turning clear yellow in fall. Male catkins 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) are visible through winter. Named selections including 'Jermyns', 'Silver Shadow', and 'Doorenbos' have been chosen for particularly vivid bark whiteness. Bronze birch borer (Agrilus anxius) susceptibility is a documented concern: while some reports suggest Betula utilis may be somewhat more resistant than B. pendula, it cannot be considered reliably borer-resistant in PNW conditions. Trees in hot, dry lowland sites remain at risk, and stress-free, cool, moist sites are strongly recommended. For a white-bark birch with proven bronze birch borer resistance, Betula nigra 'Cully' (Heritage®) is the only reliable choice for PNW lowlands.

Native Range

Native to the western Himalayas — Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern India (Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), and Nepal — where it grows in montane forests at elevations of 8,000–14,000 feet (2,400–4,300 m). Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii refers to populations from the western part of this range, which have the most brilliantly white bark.

Suggested Uses

The premier choice for brilliant white bark in PNW gardens where Betula pendula is considered aesthetically desirable but longevity is a concern. Named cultivars ('Jermyns', 'Silver Shadow', 'Doorenbos') offer reliably superior bark whiteness. Highly effective planted in groves of 3 or more stems against dark evergreen backgrounds for maximum winter bark impact. Best suited to cool, moist PNW microclimates. Not recommended for hot, dry inland lowland sites without consistent irrigation and mulching. For guaranteed long-term white-bark performance in warm PNW lowlands, Betula nigra 'Cully' (Heritage®) is the more reliable choice.

How to Identify

Identified by exceptionally bright, uniformly pure white bark that exfoliates in thin papery sheets and remains smooth white with age — no black diamond-shaped markings or basal black fissuring as seen on Betula pendula. Young stems are orange-brown, transitioning to white at 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) diameter. Leaves are ovate to broadly ovate, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm), with simply to doubly serrated margins — broader and less triangular than B. pendula. Distinguished from B. papyrifera by the consistently smooth, brighter white bark without pink-orange inner tones and by its non-native origin.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 50'
Width/Spread20' - 35'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

brown

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Pendulous male catkins 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) are visible through winter and elongate in March through April before leaf-out. Female catkins mature into hanging cylindrical seed catkins shedding small winged nutlets in late summer. Flowering is not ornamentally significant.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

brown (male catkins)

Foliage Description

dark 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 Range5.5 - 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

Provide consistent soil moisture — this is the single most important factor in maintaining tree health and reducing bronze birch borer susceptibility. Apply 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) of mulch from the drip line inward to keep root zones cool; avoid heat-absorbing paving near the root zone. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5–7.0). Plant in full sun to part shade in cool, moist microclimates for best performance. Bronze birch borer susceptibility, while possibly somewhat less than Betula pendula, remains a real concern in PNW lowlands — inspect annually for D-shaped exit holes (1/8 inch / 3 mm) in upper branches. Avoid spring pruning (February through May) as birches bleed heavily. For confirmed bronze birch borer resistance in PNW lowlands, Betula nigra 'Cully' (Heritage®) is the only widely recommended choice.

Pruning

Prune in summer (June through August) or fall — avoid spring when sap bleeds freely from wounds. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Minimal corrective pruning is needed; the tree develops a strong natural upright form. Clean pruning cuts at the branch collar heal most effectively. Monitor annually for early signs of bronze birch borer in the upper canopy.

Pruning Schedule

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summerfall

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic
Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii (Himalayan white birch) - Identification & Care Guide | PlantRef