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This is Betula utilis var.jacquemontii a deciduous tree with distinguishable paper white bark. It has green foliage that turns yellow in autumn before leaf fall, providing both autumn and winter interest through its foliage and bark. This tree is monoecious having separate male and female catkins on the same plant which are wind pollinated. The male catkins are long and hang down from tips of branches whereas females are small, compact and sit upright in leaf axils.
I saw a small grove of Betula trees at Anglesey Abbley. Here it added height, depth and a block colour scheme to the area, however, under-planting the trees would have enhanced this area in my opinion as there is a lot of void space that could be used to balance the area. Some examples could be a bed of spring bulbs or evergreen grasses as a backdrop to the white trunks.
The Betulaceae family are used in herbal medicines; the bark is used as an antiseptic for various conditions from earache to kidney stones, however, the hydrocarbons of the Betula tar are a skin irritant so please do not try to use this to practice medicine at home.
The Betulaceae family are used in herbal medicines; the bark is used as an antiseptic for various conditions from earache to kidney stones, however, the hydrocarbons of the Betula tar are a skin irritant so please do not try to use this to practice medicine at home.
