Practical
Plants

Betula pendula

Silver Birch

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Betula genus in the family Betulaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Betula
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
20 m
Spread
10 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Inner bark - cooked or dried and ground into a meal[43][40][37]. It can be added as a thickener to soups etc or can be mixed with flour for making bread, biscuits etc. Inner bark is generally only seen as a famine food, used when other forms of starch are not available or are in short supply[115, 177, K]. Sap - raw or cooked. A sweet flavour. It is harvested in early spring, before the leaves unfurl, by tapping the trunk. It makes a pleasant drink[38]. It is often concentrated into a syrup by boiling off the water[43][46][39][40][42]. Between 4 and 7 litres can be drawn off a mature tree in a day and this will not kill the tree so long as the tap hole is filled up afterwards[38]. However, prolonged or heavy tapping will kill the tree[38]. The flow is best on sunny days following a frost. The sap can be fermented into a beer. An old English recipe for the beer is as follows:- \"To every Gallon of Birch-water put a quart of Honey, well stirr'd together; then boil it almost an hour with a few Cloves, and a little Limon-peel, keeping it well scumm'd. When it is sufficiently boil'd, and become cold, add to it three or four Spoonfuls of good Ale to make it work...and when the Test begins to settle, bottle it up... it is gentle, and very harmless in operation within the body, and exceedingly sharpens the Appetite, being drunk ante pastum.\"[45]. Young leaves - raw or cooked[40]. Young catkins[40]. No more details are given. A tea is made from the leaves[40][41] and another tea is made from the essential oil in the inner bark[44].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Inner bark
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Sap
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Anti-inflammatory, cholagogue, diaphoretic[22][12][21]. The bark is diuretic and laxative[32]. An oil obtained from the inner bark is astringent and is used in the treatment of various skin afflictions, especially eczema and psoriasis[29][25]. The bark is usually obtained from trees that have been felled for timber and can be distilled at any time of the year[25]. The inner bark is bitter and astringent, it is used in treating intermittent fevers[29]. The vernal sap is diuretic[29]. The buds are balsamic[32]. The young shoots and leaves secrete a resinous substance which has acid properties, when combined with alkalis it is a tonic laxative[29]. The leaves are anticholesterolemic and diuretic[32]. They also contain phytosides, which are effective germicides[32]. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of gout, dropsy and rheumatism, and is recommended as a reliable solvent of kidney stones[29]. The young leaves and leaf buds are harvested in the spring and dried for later use[25]. A decoction of the leaves and bark is used for bathing skin eruptions[29]. Moxa is made from the yellow fungous excrescences of the wood, which sometimes swell out of the fissures[29].

Product or use
Anticholesterolemic
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Lithontripic
Product or use
Miscellany
Product or use
Skin

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark is used to make drinking vessels, canoe skins, roofing tiles etc[6]. It is waterproof, durable, tough and resinous. Only the outer bark is removed, this does not kill the tree. It is most easily removed in late spring to early summer. A pioneer species, it readily invades old fields, cleared or burnt-over land and creates conditions suitable for other woodland trees to become established. Since it is relatively short-lived and intolerant of shade, it is eventually out-competed by these trees[13][16]. A tar-oil is obtained from the white bark in spring. It has fungicidal properties and is also used as an insect repellent[29][7][2]. It makes a good shoe polish[31]. Another report says that an essential oil is obtained from the bark and this, called 'Russian Leather' has been used as a perfume[27]. A decoction of the inner bark is used to preserve cordage[6], it contains up to 16% tannin[15][23]. An oil similar to Wintergreen oil (obtained from Gaultheria procumbens) is obtained from the inner bark[22][31]. It is used medicinally and also makes a refreshing tea[22]. The resin glands (the report does not say where these glands are found) are used to make a hair lotion[24]. A brown dye is obtained from the inner bark A glue is made from the sap[18][35][7][10]. Cordage can be made from the fibres of the inner bark[6]. This inner bark can also be separated into thin layers and used as a substitute for oiled paper[29]. The young branches are very flexible and are used to make whisks, besoms etc[30]. They are also used in thatching[7][2] and to make wattles[29]. The leaves are a good addition to the compost heap, improving fermentation[9]. Wood - soft, light, durable. It is used for a wide range of purposes including furniture, tool handles, toys and carving[7][2][25]. A high quality charcoal is obtained from the bark. It is used by artists, painters etc[7]. The wood is also pulped and used for making paper[25].

Product or use
Adhesive
Product or use
Besom
Product or use
Charcoal
Product or use
Compost
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Fungicide
Product or use
Hair care
Product or use
Paper
Product or use
Polish
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Thatching
Product or use
Waterproofing
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to Morocco, W. Siberia and central Asia.
Habitat
Open woodland and heaths[13][2]. Rarely found on chalk[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[33][34][5][8]. Only just cover the seed and place the pot in a sunny position[33][34][8]. Spring sown seed should be surface sown in a sunny position in a cold frame[5][8]. If the germination is poor, raising the temperature by covering the seed with glass can help[8]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed, it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed, either as soon as it is ripe or in the early spring - do not cover the spring sown seed. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for 2 years before planting them out into their permanent positions in the winter[33][34][5][8].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very easily grown plant, it tolerates most soils including poor ones[1][26], sandy soils[17] and heavy clays. It prefers a well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[4][20]. It is occasionally found on calcareous soils in the wild but it generally prefers a pH below 6.5, doing well on acid soils[16]. Fairly wind tolerant[20] though it becomes wind shaped when exposed to strong winds[K]. The silver birch is a very ornamental tree[1] with many named varieties[4][20]. It also has a very wide range of economic uses. It is a fast growing tree, increasing by up to 1 metre a year, but is short-lived[13][20]. It is often one of the first trees to colonize open land and it creates a suitable environment for other woodland trees to follow[13]. These trees eventually out-compete and shade out the birch trees[13][16]. It makes an excellent nurse tree for seedling trees, though its fine branches can cause damage to nearby trees when blown into them by the wind. Trees take about 15 years from seed to produce their own seed[36]. Although closely related, it does not usually hybridize with B. pubescens[4]. It often hybridizes with B. pubescens according to another report[16]. A superb tree for encouraging wildlife, it has 229 associated insect species[26]. A good plant to grow near the compost heap, aiding the fermentation process[9][19]. It is also a good companion plant, its root action working to improve the soil[9]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[20].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

  4. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

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  6. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

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  10. Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-273-00098-5

    ↩

  11. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

  12. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  13. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  14. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

  15. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  16. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  17. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  18. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  19. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩

  20. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  21. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩

  22. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  23. Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. 1946-00-00

    ↩

  24. Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649

    ↩

  25. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  26. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  27. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  28. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00

  29. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  30. Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-00-635555-2

    ↩

  31. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  32. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  33. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  34. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  35. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩

  36. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

    ↩

  37. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)

    ↩

  38. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()

    ↩1↩2↩3

  39. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)

    ↩

  40. Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing ISBN 0-273-00098-5 (1976-00-00)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  41. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()

    ↩

  42. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)

    ↩

  43. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

  44. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)

    ↩

  45. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - (1983-00-00)

    ↩

  46. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)

    ↩

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