European White Birch
Betula pendula
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krym, Kuril Is., Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Percita at Flickr (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Genus:
- Betula
- Species:
- Betula pendula
- USDA Symbol:
- BEPE3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Columbia silk moth (Hyalophora columbia), Luna moth (Actias luna), Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Syngrapha epigaea
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, caterpillars
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Common in heathlands and open woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Requires light for germination; sow on surface. Seeds remain viable for only 1-2 years.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C for 3 weeks, then place @ 20C.