Betula utilis Jacquemontii - Himalayan Birch
First discovered in Nepal in the 1841 and originally classified as Betula jacquemontii, it was later realised that was actually a variety of Betula utilis. In Latin ‘utilis’ indicates that parts of the tree have many uses, the most common being the peeling bark for paper.
Himalayan birch is one of the most popular trees that we offer at Deepdale, the most alluring feature being the brilliant chalk-white bark which offers year round interest.
It is a fast growing, deciduous tree, graceful in appearance and offering light dappled shade with its open, conical crown.
In spring, yellow catkins appear, closely followed by dark green ovate leaves, lighter on the underside which rustle and shimmer in the breeze. In autumn, the foliage turns a glorious golden yellow before falling and leaving us again with the elegant framework of pure white branches.
FACT: The white, paper-like bark of the West Himalayan Birch was used in ancient times for writing Sanskrit scriptures and texts.
Plant Profile
Height: 15-20m
Demands: Very few. Grows well in almost any location
Bark: Bright, white peeling bark making it one of the most desirable birches
Foliage: Ovate and slightly serrated. Dark green above with a lighter underside turning yellow in Autumn
Flower: Yellow-brown catkins in early Spring
Available from Deepdale as a standard, feathered or multi-stemmed plant:
