Birch

These elegant trees have attractive bark of striking white or various shades of brown, often papery and peeling. The bark is particularly outstanding in winter, once the leaves have fallen. Birches come in all sizes, usually with a light, airy canopy made up of small leaves that turn vibrant yellow in autumn.

Birches are hardy, versatile and adaptable trees that thrive in most conditions – sun and partial shade, well-drained, damp, dry or even poor soils.

They won’t fare well in deep shade and shouldn't be left to dry out when newly planted. They don't usually recover well from hard pruning.

Birches often ‘bleed’ sap heavily if pruned during the growing season. Traditionally this clear, slightly sweet liquid is collected in spring and used to make birch sap wine.