Our stand of Betula nigra is gracing the lakeside with its papery, shaggy bark.
This North American native particularly enjoys moist conditions, and thrives alongside streams and lakes, giving rise to the common name river birch, though it will also grow well away from water. It is a particularly attractive species, forming a conical shape to 18m in height. The distinctive feature is the papery red-brown bark which peels when young, and is highlighted on a bright winter’s day. This species was introduced to British gardens in 1736 by the plant collector Peter Collinson. The genus Betula comprises over 100 species of trees and shrubs from the northern hemisphere. Many of these have attractive bark, making them valuable for the garden, and all have ovate to elliptic toothed leaves and catkins.