Practical
Plants

Betula utilis

Indian Paper Birch

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

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Taxonomy and growth

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

Uses

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.

An infusion of the bark is antiseptic and carminative[8][9][10]. It has been used in the treatment of hysteria and jaundice[8][9][10]. It is applied as drops to the ears to rlieve earache[10]. A paste made from the bark is used as a poultice on cuts, wounds and burns[10].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Carminative

Material uses

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

A paper is made from the inner bark[11][13][14]. The outer bark can be carefully peeled off the tree (this does not harm the tree) and used as a paper[5]. The outer bark can also be used as a waterproofing and for roofing houses[13][4][10]. The bark is sometimes used as an incense[10]. Wood - tough, even grained, moderately hard, elastic. Used for construction[13][4][5][10].

Product or use
Paper
Product or use
Waterproofing
Product or use
Wood
Product or use
Incense

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas to S.W. China.
Habitat
Forests at the upper height limit of tree growth[13], rarely found below 3000 metres[4]. Moist hillsides at elevations of 2000 - 4000 metres in Nepal[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
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[15][16][2][3]. Only just cover the seed and place the pot in a sunny position[15][16][3]. Spring sown seed should be surface sown in a sunny position in a cold frame[2][3]. If the germination is poor, raising the temperature by covering the seed with glass can help[3]. 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[15][16][2][3].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in a well-drained loamy soil in a sheltered position[1][7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes wet soils[7]. Shade tolerant[7]. Plants are showing good wind-resistance on our Cornish trial ground[K]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[12]. A good plant to grow near the compost heap, aiding the fermentation process[6]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[7].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  9. Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. 1993-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  10. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  11. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  12. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  13. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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