Betula pendula Bonsai Tree Seeds ~ Silver Birch, European Weeping Birch, European White Birch

Betula pendula Bonsai Seeds

Silver Birch, European Weeping Birch, European White Birch, Weeping Birch

Betula is a genus that consists of 60 species. They are cultivated for their striking ornamental peeling bark and stunning autumn foliage. Birches are much loved for bonsai because of their elegant beauty. Betula pendula, commonly known as Silver Birch, European Weeping Birch, European White Birch, or Weeping Birch is a widespread European birch. Its range extends into southwest Asia in the mountains of northern Turkey and the Caucasus. It is also found growing in gardens in most parts of South Africa. Betula pendula is a medium deciduous tree, typically reaching 10 m in height, exceptionally up to 39 m, with a slender crown of arched branches with drooping branchlets.

The bark is white, often with black diamond-shaped marks or larger patches at the base. The shoots are rough with small warts, and hairless, and the leaves 3-6 cm long, triangular with a broad base and pointed tip, and coarsely serrated margins. The flowers are wind-pollinated catkins, produced before the leaves in early spring, the small (1-2 mm) winged seeds ripening in late summer on 3-5 cm long catkins. It is often planted as a garden and ornamental or bonsai tree, grown for its white bark and gracefully drooping shoots. It is shallow rooted and will require water during dry periods. It grows best in full sun or dappled shade. They require well drained, moist, fertile soil.