Betula grossa
Japanese Cherry Birch
Also known as Betula ulmifolia
- Height × spread
- 25m × 12m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
An attractive slow-growing tree that is likely to achieve a height of 8 metres at the age of thirty. It can eventually reach over three times that height, but this will take a lot of time! This is a chunky tree with spreading and uplifted branches and a grey and chestnut bark that flakes rather than peels into small strips. The leaves are quite long and taper to a point, coloured mid-green. There are both male and female catkins which are small, stand upright, and don't much notice. Good gold and yellow autumn colour. If the twigs are scratched they release the odour of wintergreen. This is a tree from mountainous areas in Japan and makes a solid, good-looking background specimen. It's appearance has been likened to that of a hornbeam. It is described as being a 'colonising species'.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Yellow-gold
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 25m
- Spread
- 12m
- Height in 10 years
- 3m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Flowers in
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Screening, Structural, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Found in
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