Betula species - Birches

The two species of birch can present a problem where different parts of the same tree cannot seem to agree as to their species! Some specimens are clearly one species, but many species appear to lie somewhere in between.

Betula pendula Silver Birch

Young twigs glossy with small white warts.

Bark white, peeling with black ♦ shaped fissures.

Teeth – 2 sets and irregular - that is the teeth have teeth.

Acuminate tip.

Branches pendulous.

Betula pubescens Downy Birch

Young twigs downy, no warts.

Bark smooth, not peeling, turning grey.

Teeth more even ± one row.

Acute tip.

Branches spreading or ascending.

Betula pendula NS6057 1June2018 PW

There is no pubescence and there are small warts on the twigs.

Betula pendula NS6057 1June2018 PW

This shows the irregular teeth and acuminate tip.

Betula pendula NS6057 1June2018 PW

Male catkins

Betula pendula NS6361 13Apr2019 MP

The branches are erect to spreading, but not drooping.

Betula pubescens NS6057 1June2018 PW

This is a good example of a Betula pubescens leaf. This is confirmed using the Atkinson Discriminant Function see Stace “New Flora of the British Isles” 4th Ed page page 315.

Betula pubescens NS5858 28April2019 PW

Betula pubescens NS6057 1June2018 PW