Betula ermanii 'Mount Zao'

RHS Plant Profile

Erman's birch 'Mount Zao'

Synonyms

Betula ermanii 'Zao Purple', Betula ermanii 'Mount Zao Purple'

Trees

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A large elegant but strong growing tree to a height of 10m or more eventually, with glossy green, leaves turning yellow in autumn before falling. Its main feature is its unusually coloured bark - brown purple with copper-orange markings and creamy tones emphasising the lenticels

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Clay, Chalk

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Clay Chalk

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Neutral or Alkaline or Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Betulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
Genus: Betula can be deciduous trees or shrubs, usually colouring well in autumn and often with striking white, pink, or peeling brown bark; separate male and female catkins open before or with the leaves in spring
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Will grow in a wide range of situations, in full sun or part shade. For more information, see tree cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to birch borers, leaf-mining sawflies and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus, a tree rust and powdery mildews