Downy Birch
Betula pubescens
- Native to:
- Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, United States
Willow
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Genus:
- Betula
- Species:
- Betula pubescens
- USDA Symbol:
- BEPU5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- green, yellow
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
Acronicta dactylina, American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana), Arched Hooktip (Drepana arcuata), Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Caloptilia coroniella, Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), Elm Sphinx (Ceratomia amyntor), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), hag moth (Phobetron pithecium), Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae), Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Io moth (Automeris io), Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), Olethreutes zelleriana, Orange-tipped oakworm moth (Anisota senatoria), Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Red-humped caterpillar moth (Schizura concinna), Spring cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata), Two-lined Hooktip Moth (Drepana bilineata), Umber Moth (Hypomecis umbrosaria), Unicorn caterpillar moth (Schizura unicornis), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), white-streaked prominent (Oligocentria lignicolor), Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana ministra), Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vau-album), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Can resprout from the base after fire damage; pioneer species that often colonizes burned or disturbed areas in boreal and subarctic regions.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in wetland areas and peat bogs
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination and do best with cold stratification; viability declines rapidly after collection.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).