Downy birch (Betula pubescens)

The leaves of this species turn a stunning gold come autumn.
SKU: BEPU
  • *
£10.95

Downy birch

Betula pubescens

Downy birch is a slender tree with a light canopy and elegant, drooping branches. Its diamond-shaped leaves turn golden in autumn. You can tell this species apart from silver birch in spring by its furry new shoots. Can be grown as a specimen or screening tree.

Downy birch estimated full grown height: 

30 metres, growing an estimated 40-60cm each year.

Purchase size and growth:

These trees are cell-grown saplings, ranging from approximately 15cm-60cm in height. Cell grown trees can be planted all year round in most situations as long as they are given the correct care. Please be aware that depending upon the time of year you receive your sapling (particularly early spring) it may not look very perky upon arrival, please do not worry once it has been planted it should pick up quickly. 

Value to wildlife: 

Downy birch provides food for aphids which attracts species higher up the food chain. It’s also a food plant for the caterpillars of many moths, including the angle-shades, buff tip, pebble hook-tip, and Kentish glory. The seeds are eaten by birds such as siskins, greenfinches and redpolls.

Downy birch preferred soil type or environmental conditions: 

It grows in most soils apart from chalk. Especially likes damp sites.

UK and Ireland Sourced and Grown (UKISG): 

Every sapling that we provide is UK and Ireland sourced and grown to minimise the risk of importing and spreading tree pests and diseases. Seeds are collected and stored in the UK and Ireland, and they are all coded and batched so that we can track each individual tree.

Learn more about this species on our downy birch profile.

The images in this product listing show the saplings bundled and wrapped. This plastic wrap is made from LDPE (low-density polyethylene) and is 100% recyclable, we encourage users to recycle them when you are ready to plant your trees.

Downy birch

Betula pubescens

Downy birch is a slender tree with a light canopy and elegant, drooping branches. Its diamond-shaped leaves turn golden in autumn. You can tell this species apart from silver birch in spring by its furry new shoots. Can be grown as a specimen or screening tree.

Downy birch estimated full grown height: 

30 metres, growing an estimated 40-60cm each year.

Purchase size and growth:

These trees are cell-grown saplings, ranging from approximately 15cm-60cm in height. Cell grown trees can be planted all year round in most situations as long as they are given the correct care. Please be aware that depending upon the time of year you receive your sapling (particularly early spring) it may not look very perky upon arrival, please do not worry once it has been planted it should pick up quickly. 

Value to wildlife: 

Downy birch provides food for aphids which attracts species higher up the food chain. It’s also a food plant for the caterpillars of many moths, including the angle-shades, buff tip, pebble hook-tip, and Kentish glory. The seeds are eaten by birds such as siskins, greenfinches and redpolls.

Downy birch preferred soil type or environmental conditions: 

It grows in most soils apart from chalk. Especially likes damp sites.

UK and Ireland Sourced and Grown (UKISG): 

Every sapling that we provide is UK and Ireland sourced and grown to minimise the risk of importing and spreading tree pests and diseases. Seeds are collected and stored in the UK and Ireland, and they are all coded and batched so that we can track each individual tree.

Learn more about this species on our downy birch profile.

The images in this product listing show the saplings bundled and wrapped. This plastic wrap is made from LDPE (low-density polyethylene) and is 100% recyclable, we encourage users to recycle them when you are ready to plant your trees.

Planting information:

As a rough guide, trees are usually planted at around 2m intervals but please take into account the final size of the tree and be aware of buildings, services and other plants nearby to ensure that damage cannot occur from the roots and canopy as the tree grows.

Oct-Feb - This is the best time of year for planting trees and your sapling is dormant, as long as it is kept free from frost and wind as well as being kept moist and in light conditions then it will last a few weeks before planting.

Mar-Sept - Your sapling is growing fast and will need planting as soon as possible. Planting it immediately will ensure it does not dry out, lose nutrients etc.

Please note that you may require tree protection if your saplings will be at risk of damage from mammals such as rabbits or deer. Take a look at our available tree protection options.

On-going care requirements:

Once planted, your tree will need some care and attention for a few years; this will mainly be weeding around the base to reduce the competition for nutrients and ensuring your tree has enough water. For more information about caring for your trees, click here.

Delivery information: 

Please note for Christmas deliveries: Orders for trees must be placed by 12.30pm on 17th December for pre-Christmas delivery.

The below subsidised tree packs will need orders placed by 12.30pm on 16th December for pre-Christmas delivery:

  • Traditional hedgerow tree pack
  • Upland hedgerow tree pack
  • Horse and livestock hedgerow tree pack
  • Kent and Sussex: Targeting tree disease packs
  • Targeting tree disease pack
  • Shelterbelt tree pack
  • Plant for pollinators tree pack
  • Urban tree pack.

Please note that our saplings ship year-round and we are unable to hold or delay orders. Our standard delivery is within 10 working days.

Free delivery is available for all tree orders and your trees will be delivered within 10 working days. You will receive a cell grown sapling, ranging from approximately 15cm-60cm in height. Orders comprising of more than 900 trees may take longer than the standard 10-day delivery window.

Please be aware that depending upon the time of year you receive your sapling (particularly early spring) it may not look very perky upon arrival, please do not worry once it has been planted it should pick up quickly.

Please note that changes to regulations mean we are, unfortunately, currently unable to ship our trees to Northern Ireland. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

If you are purchasing more than one pack of trees or any of our tree accessories, they may be delivered separately to one another.

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