Wide shrub to average-sized tree with a wide pyramidal crown. Because of its width and the fairly low starting branching, it is a tree that requires space. Often mistaken for B. costata due to its large resemblance, but is however, a variety of B. ermanii. The white bark often has a red hue, which explains the cultivar name of 'Blush'. Because of this very nice colour of the stem it is a beautiful park tree, which is worthwhile planting, both as a solitary and in groups. The leaf is strong and has a double-toothed margin. It is bigger than of the B. ermanii 'Holland', the autumn colour is strikingly yellow. The tree is shallow rooting with a delicate root system and many fibrous rootlets. Susceptible to (sea) wind.