Silver birch

[fishfingersandtoes]

I've just had delivery of what is supposed to be a native silver birch, but the bark is not white. It's 3 years old, 2m tall. Is that normal or have they sent the wrong plant?

Leaves look wrong ?

It's fine, it's that colour because the tree is young.

This looks right for a young Silverbirch. We had three small ones put in last year, and their trunks have not yet turned white. When we moved into our house many years ago, there was a sapling in the back garden, and we nearly took it out because of overcrowding. Luckily, we chose to take out a holly sapling instead. After year or so, as the other sapling grew, we noticed its bark started to peel, and we called it the peely bark tree. More time passed, and its trunk turned white, and we had no doubt whatsoever that it was a silver birch. 16 years on, it stands a majestic 60 feet tall. Be prepared for your garden to become filled with roots and shade as it matures!

We planted several of these three years ago and this year the bark is white and peeling.

It seems very close to the wall though?

Agree that birches do take a few years to get going, and they tend to be fairly orange to start with.

However... those leaves don't look entirely right for a silver birch (betula pendula) and there's a chance it could be a hybrid with another birch. Are the stems and twigs completely smooth? If they are very slightly hairy it could be downy birch (betula pubescens).

Both are very similar bark-wise, but silver birch has slightly weeping branches, hence the word 'pendula' in its latin name.

It's just in the pot it came in leaning against the wall there. I've planted it further away

Ah that makes sense, sorry!

Betula pubescens

scroll down link to see leaves, rounder bases than Betula pendula

Betula pendula

For people who are after whiteness of bark and not worried about being native, Betula jaquemontii is unparalleled. Unfortunately it is now rather a “municipal planting” tree

Thanks all! I've planted it and really hoping it will thrive. I think it will look really nice under planted with some bulbs. And hopefully be a nice spot for insects.

I have planted five in our garden, very close together to hopefully keep them smaller. This year is the first year I have seen blue tits on them and it makes my heart sing. Two of the trees are seedlings from one at our previous home and we had loads in that tree, so I am glad to see them here. Silver birches are my favourite tree.