CAN ANYONE IDENTIFY THIS TREE

[canter71]

I know my tree is a silver birch but what species?
I am concerned how high it will grow.
Could it be successfuly pruned?

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• canter71
• 8 Jul 2012
• 1

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• canter71
• 8 Jul 2012
• 1

 

[r896neo]

Hard to tell from those relatively far away photo's. Most commonly planted variety i see is jacquemontii birch.

By pruning i assume you mean topping it which in general is bad for trees.

Birch in particular look awful even when pruned well due to the low leaf cover and general growing habit.

It will probably not die should you top it but will forever look mutilated.

 

[canter71]

Thanks for that. I know what you mean, there are plenty of mutilated trees around here. I would not want that. Maybe I will have to sacrifice it for something smaller. Its growing at an alarming rate. Bought from a garden centre with no info!

Perhaps this closeup could help you to confirm the species.

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• canter71
• 8 Jul 2012
• 1

 

[JohnD]

I know a wild one from Epping forest that is 56 years old and 11 metres high.

I don't know one silver b from another, though. Bark is patchier and ringed, and leaves are smaller.

 

[r896neo]

The jaq's are popular because their bark is whiter and more uniform. I am no expert though but would say yours may be a common betula pendula although their back as john says is often more patchy and less white.

 

[^woody^]

I know my tree is a silver birch but what species?

There is only one type of Silver Birch, and it will reach about 20-25m in the UK

The Downy Birch is a bit similar, but tends not to have the central "pointy top", and has more rounded appearance and more greyish. Grows to 15-20m