Silver Birch Trees

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Scientific name: Betula pendula

Size: Grows to a height of approx 15m (approx 49 feet)

Distribution: Found throughout the UK

Flowering months: April to May

Habitat: Prefers dry soils, but will colonise most areas

Special features: The Silver Birch tree has triangular, toothed leaves, which along with it's narrow branches tend to droop downwards - hence the Latin name of "pendula".

When the tree is young the bark is a reddish-brown colour, but as the tree matures it becomes dark grey with silver-white patches.

Silver birches can be affected by a fungus (Taphrina tugida) which causes abnormal clusters of twigs commonly known as "witches brooms".

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