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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Silver Birch
| image = Betula Pendula at Stockholm University 2005-07-01.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Betula pendula''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fagales]]
| familia = [[Betulaceae]]
| genus = [[Birch|Betula]]
| subgenus = ''[[Betula classification#Subgenus Betula - Typical birches|Betula]]''
| species = '''''B. pendula'''''
| binomial = ''Betula pendula''
| binomial_authority = [[Roth.]]
}}
[[Image:Illustration Betula pendula0.jpg|right|thumb|240px]]
[[Image:Betula pendula laciniata0.jpg|thumb|right|''Betula pendula'' '''Laciniata''']]
[[Image:Betula pendula 'Youngii'.jpg|right|thumb|''Betula pendula'' '''Youngii''']]
'''Silver Birch''', '''European Weeping Birch''', '''European White Birch''', or '''Weeping Birch''' ('''''Betula pendula''''') is a widespread [[Europe]]an [[birch]], though in southern Europe it is only found at higher altitudes. Its range extends into southwest [[Asia]] in the mountains of northern [[Turkey]] and the [[Caucasus]]. The closely related [[Siberian Silver Birch]] (''B. platyphylla'') in northern Asia and [[Sichuan Birch]] (''B. szechuanica'') of central Asia are also treated as varieties of Silver Birch by some botanists, as ''B. pendula'' var. ''platyphylla'' and ''B. pendula'' var. ''szechuanica'' respectively (see [[birch classification]]).
== Description ==
''Betula pendula'' is a medium [[deciduous]] [[tree]], typically reaching 15-25 m tall, exceptionally up to 30 m, with a slender crown of arched branches with drooping branchlets. The [[bark]] is white, often with black diamond-shaped marks or larger patches at the base. The shoots are rough with small warts, and hairless, and the [[leaf|leaves]] 3-6 cm long, triangular with a broad base and pointed tip, and coarsely serrated margins. The [[flower]]s are wind-pollinated [[catkin]]s, produced before the leaves in early spring, the small (1-2 mm) winged [[seed]]s ripening in late summer on 3-5 cm long catkins.
It is distinguished from the related [[Downy Birch]] (''B. pubescens'', the other common European birch) in having hairless, warty shoots (hairy, without warts in Downy Birch), and whiter bark often with scattered black fissures (greyer, less fissured, in Downy Birch). It is also distinguished [[cytology|cytologically]], Silver Birch being [[diploid]] (with two sets of chromosomes), whereas Downy Birch is [[tetraploid]] (four sets of chromosomes). The two have subtle differences in [[habitat (ecology)|habitat]] requirements, with Silver Birch found mainly on dry, [[sand]]y soils, and Downy Birch more common on wet, poorly drained sites such as [[clay]] soils and [[peat bog]]s. Silver birch also demands slightly more summer warmth than does Downy birch, which is significant in the cooler parts of Europe. Many [[North America]]n texts treat the two species as conspecific (and cause confusion by combining the Downy Birch's alternative vernacular name 'White Birch', with the scientific name ''B. pendula'' of the other species), but they are regarded as distinct species throughout Europe.
== Cultivation ==
It is often planted as a [[garden]] and [[ornamental plant|ornamental tree]], grown for its white bark and gracefully drooping shoots even in warmer-than-optimum places such as [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] and [[Sydney]], [[Australia]]. In [[Scandinavia]] and other regions of northern Europe, it is grown for [[forestry]]. It is sometimes used as a pioneer and nurse tree elsewhere.
Successful birch cultivation requires a climate cool enough for at least the occasional winter snowfall. Shallow rooted they require water during dry periods, growing best in full dun or dappled shade. They require deep, moist, fertile soil.<ref>Botanicas' Trees & Shrubs, Random House, Sydney, 2005</ref>
=== Cultivars ===
* '''Purpurea''' has rich dark purple leaves.
* '''Laciniata''' (commonly misidentified as '''Darlecarlica''') has deeply incised leaves and weeping branches.
* '''Tristis''' ha
s and erect trunk with weeping branchlets.
* '''Youngii''' has growth similar to a [[weeping willow]] (Salix sp.) with no central leader requiring grafting onto a standard.
== Human Culture ==
Silver Birch is [[Finland]]'s national tree. Occasionally one uses leafy, fragrant boughs of Silver Birch to gently beat oneself in a [[sauna]]. The boughs are called vihta or vasta. This has a relaxing effect on the muscles.
[[Land of the Silver Birch]] is a traditional [[Canada|Canadian]] [[Folk music|folk song]], though the birch referred to is actually a different species, [[Paper Birch]] ''Betula papyrifera''.
==See also==
[[List of Lepidoptera which feed on Birches]]
<gallery>
Image:Birchbark.jpg|''Betula pendula'', bark
Image:European birch cone.jpg|''Betula pendula'', fruit with seed
Image:Betula pendula winter night.jpg|''Betula pendula'' at night in winter
</gallery>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{commons|Betula pendula}}
[[Category:Betulaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Estonia]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Silver Birch
| image = Betula Pendula at Stockholm University 2005-07-01.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Betula pendula''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fagales]]
| familia = [[Betulaceae]]
| genus = [[Birch|Betula]]
| subgenus = ''[[Betula classification#Subgenus Betula - Typical birches|Betula]]''
| species = '''''B. pendula'''''
| binomial = ''Betula pendula''
| binomial_authority = [[Roth.]]
}}
[[Image:Illustration Betula pendula0.jpg|right|thumb|240px]]
[[Image:Betula pendula laciniata0.jpg|thumb|right|''Betula pendula'' '''Laciniata''']]
[[Image:Betula pendula 'Youngii'.jpg|right|thumb|''Betula pendula'' '''Youngii''']]
'''Silver Birch''', '''European Weeping Birch''', '''European White Birch''', or '''Weeping Birch''' ('''''Betula pendula''''') is a widespread [[Europe]]an [[birch]], though in southern Europe it is only found at higher altitudes. Its range extends into southwest [[Asia]] in the mountains of northern [[Turkey]] and the [[Caucasus]]. The closely related [[Siberian Silver Birch]] (''B. platyphylla'') in northern Asia and [[Sichuan Birch]] (''B. szechuanica'') of central Asia are also treated as varieties of Silver Birch by some botanists, as ''B. pendula'' var. ''platyphylla'' and ''B. pendula'' var. ''szechuanica'' respectively (see [[birch classification]]).
== Description ==
''Betula pendula'' is a medium [[deciduous]] [[tree]], typically reaching 15-25 m tall, exceptionally up to 30 m, with a slender crown of arched branches with drooping branchlets. The [[bark]] is white, often with black diamond-shaped marks or larger patches at the base. The shoots are rough with small warts, and hairless, and the [[leaf|leaves]] 3-6 cm long, triangular with a broad base and pointed tip, and coarsely serrated margins. The [[flower]]s are wind-pollinated [[catkin]]s, produced before the leaves in early spring, the small (1-2 mm) winged [[seed]]s ripening in late summer on 3-5 cm long catkins.
It is distinguished from the related [[Downy Birch]] (''B. pubescens'', the other common European birch) in having hairless, warty shoots (hairy, without warts in Downy Birch), and whiter bark often with scattered black fissures (greyer, less fissured, in Downy Birch). It is also distinguished [[cytology|cytologically]], Silver Birch being [[diploid]] (with two sets of chromosomes), whereas Downy Birch is [[tetraploid]] (four sets of chromosomes). The two have subtle differences in [[habitat (ecology)|habitat]] requirements, with Silver Birch found mainly on dry, [[sand]]y soils, and Downy Birch more common on wet, poorly drained sites such as [[clay]] soils and [[peat bog]]s. Silver birch also demands slightly more summer warmth than does Downy birch, which is significant in the cooler parts of Europe. Many [[North America]]n texts treat the two species as conspecific (and cause confusion by combining the Downy Birch's alternative vernacular name 'White Birch', with the scientific name ''B. pendula'' of the other species), but they are regarded as distinct species throughout Europe.
== Cultivation ==
It is often planted as a [[garden]] and [[ornamental plant|ornamental tree]], grown for its white bark and gracefully drooping shoots even in warmer-than-optimum places such as [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] and [[Sydney]], [[Australia]]. In [[Scandinavia]] and other regions of northern Europe, it is grown for [[forestry]]. It is sometimes used as a pioneer and nurse tree elsewhere.
Successful birch cultivation requires a climate cool enough for at least the occasional winter snowfall. Shallow rooted they require water during dry periods, growing best in full dun or dappled shade. They require deep, moist, fertile soil.<ref>Botanicas' Trees & Shrubs, Random House, Sydney, 2005</ref>
=== Cultivars ===
* '''Purpurea''' has rich dark purple leaves.
* '''Laciniata''' (commonly misidentified as '''Darlecarlica''') has deeply incised leaves and weeping branches.
* '''Tristis''' ha
s and erect trunk with weeping branchlets.
* '''Youngii''' has growth similar to a [[weeping willow]] (Salix sp.) with no central leader requiring grafting onto a standard.
== Human Culture ==
Silver Birch is [[Finland]]'s national tree. Occasionally one uses leafy, fragrant boughs of Silver Birch to gently beat oneself in a [[sauna]]. The boughs are called vihta or vasta. This has a relaxing effect on the muscles.
[[Land of the Silver Birch]] is a traditional [[Canada|Canadian]] [[Folk music|folk song]], though the birch referred to is actually a different species, [[Paper Birch]] ''Betula papyrifera''.
==See also==
[[List of Lepidoptera which feed on Birches]]
<gallery>
Image:Birchbark.jpg|''Betula pendula'', bark
Image:European birch cone.jpg|''Betula pendula'', fruit with seed
Image:Betula pendula winter night.jpg|''Betula pendula'' at night in winter
</gallery>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{commons|Betula pendula}}
[[Category:Betulaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Estonia]]