The tree with the striking white-black bark impresses with its picturesque appearance. Reason enough to get to know the birch more closely in the profile: In addition to the most important data and facts, you can find out here which special properties make the birch so unmistakable in addition to its unique appearance.

Birch trees are native deciduous trees

Get to know the birch in the profile

  • Name: Common birch
  • Scientific name: Betula Pendula
  • Alternative names: silver birch, silver birch, silver birch
  • Number of different species: around 50
  • Family: Birch family (Betulaceae)
  • Appearance: deciduous deciduous tree
  • Height: 20 to 30 m
  • Age: up to around 150 years
  • Origin: local
  • Distribution area: Europe, North America, Asia
  • Preferred locations: sunny to light semi-shade
  • Soil: dry to slightly moist, sandy to loamy
  • Fruits: small brown-yellow nuts, about 2 to 3 mm, winged
  • Fruit ripening: August to September
  • Flowers: male catkins approx. 10 cm long and strikingly yellow, female flowers 2-4 cm and inconspicuous
  • Flowering time: March to May
  • Leaf: oval to slightly triangular, serrate leaf margin, arranged alternately
  • Bark: white with black longitudinal cracks

Growth form of the birch

Birch trees adorn gardens, streets, parks and forests with a striking appearance: their long, continuous trunk ends in a loose crown. The mostly very light to bright white coloring of the bark is particularly characteristic. Overhanging branches and sharp-angled twigs are also typical of the Betula pendula. In addition, the growth form proves to be extremely diverse. In the flowering period, the male yellow catkins catch the eye.

Worth knowing about the birch

The silver birch is the most common birch species in Germany. For pollen allergy sufferers, however, the picturesque tree becomes a burden between March and April. Since birch trees are pollinated exclusively by the wind, they release a particularly high amount of pollen compared to other trees. Because of this very effective method of reproduction, however, the birch is also one of the pioneer plants. Your demands on the nature of the soil are low. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that it is the birch trees that are set up as a maypole to symbolize a token of love.

Birch trees have male and female flowers on the same tree, so they are monoecious. They form flowers for the first time after five years, and free-standing specimens are sexually mature after about ten years.

Special properties

The extracts of the birch, especially from its leaves and bark, are known for their medicinal effects. The essential oils and valuable plant substances it contains are used in cosmetics to care for skin and hair. Medically, they can have an anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect, which can benefit a wide variety of symptoms, for example chronic inflammatory diseases or kidney stones. Traditionally, detoxification cures are a popular area of application for birch leaf tea.

Tips and Tricks

The birch is by far the most light-hungry forest tree in Europe. In addition, however, it is very easy to care for. With a rather low water requirement and a frost hardiness of -36 to +40 degrees Celsius, the tree can withstand extreme conditions. But the better the light and water supply, the more luxuriantly the birch grows.

Category:

Trees