Family: Betulaceae
Common Name: Himalayan birch
Origin/Ecology: Native to western China
Habit: Medium sized tree that grows to 30-40′ tall with an open pyramidal habit.
Leaves: Ovate, double-serrate, yellow-green to green leaves (to 2-3″ long) turn golden in fall.
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Flowers and Fruit: Tiny flowers on same tree: yellowish-brown drooping male catkins (to 3-5″ long) and greenish female upright catkins (to 1.3″ long). Drooping cone-like fruits containing numerous small winged seeds appear in autumn.
Bark: Noted for its exceptionally white bark, whitest found on any birch. Peeling bark reveals peachy colour beneath.
Water Use, Soil: Medium to wet, well-drained, sandy or rocky loams. Needs consistent moisture.
Exposure: Full sun to part shade.
Landscape Uses: Specimen, landscape tree.
Limitations: Bronze birch borer. Not drought tolerant.
Other Features: Lenticels on twigs and bark.