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Betula pendula subsp. pendula 'Tristis'
  • RHS AGM

silver birch 'Tristis'

Elegant, deciduous tree with white bark, and a narrow, symmetrical crown of long slender drooping branchlets, with oval bright green leaves, becoming yellow in autumn. Flowers in slender brown catkins

Synonyms
Betula pendula 'Boeugh's Variety'

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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Brown Green
Summer White Green Brown
Autumn White Yellow
Winter White
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Betulaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Pendulous weeping
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

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
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

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