The wood was ok but is rather dull. Check out the video I filmed with Alexandra from the Middle-Sized Garden last year. It i… Your fixings will loosen slightly and your grid might collapse. In the spring, large quantities of sap rise up the trunk and this can be tapped. They’ll snap as you try to bend them into shape which doesn’t make for a lovely flowing circle to your hoop. In terms of genetic structure, the trees are quite different, but do, however, occasionally hybridise. Other mycorrhizal associates include Leccinum scabrum and Cantharellus cibarius. [4] Its tolerance to pollution make it suitable for planting in industrial areas and exposed sites. Using Silver Birch branches. The silver birch is Finland's national tree. I used the discarded ends that I’d collected to make my door wreath. Various parts of the tree are used in traditional medicine and the bark contains triterpenes, which have been shown to have medicinal properties. It is sometimes used as a pioneer and nurse tree elsewhere. Its light seeds are easily blown by the wind and it is a pioneer species, one of the first trees to sprout on bare land or after a forest fire. The cultivars marked agm above have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [26], Birch brushwood is used for racecourse jumps and besom brooms. Birch is used for joint pain, kidney stones, bladder stones, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use. The species is monoecious with male and female catkins found on the same tree. Uses of silver birch Birch wood is tough and heavy, making it suitable for furniture production, handles and toys. "Identification and isolation of pharmacologically active triterpenes in Betuale cortex, European Forest Genetic Resources Programme, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Betula_pendula&oldid=990636506, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Make sure you fasten your stems together as firmly as you possibly can. You can either cut direct from your tree or pick them up from the ground. It has been introduced into North America, where it is known as the European white birch, and is considered invasive in some states in the United States and parts of Canada. [4], Silver birch wood is pale in colour with no distinct heartwood and is used in making furniture, plywood, veneers, parquet blocks, skis, and kitchen utensils, and in turnery. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. They grow best in full sun planted in deep, well-drained soil.[29]. They are sticky with resin at first, but this dries as they age, leaving small, white scales. The immature male catkins are present during the winter, but the female catkins develop in the spring, soon after the leaves unfurl. [4][6], Silver birch can easily be confused with the similar downy birch (Betula pubescens). Start by gauging how long you need your stems. Have a read of my post on making a foraged autumn door wreath. It was once used to make hardwearing bobbins, spools and reels for the Lancashire cotton industry. This is the kind of project where you’ll need to just keep working. The silver birch is a medium-sized deciduous tree that owes its common name to the white peeling bark on the trunk. [1], The silver birch is Finland's national tree. Birds found in birch woodland include the chaffinch, tree pipit, willow warbler, nightingale, robin, woodcock, redpoll, and green woodpecker. Silver birch also demands slightly more summer warmth than does downy birch, which is significant in the cooler parts of Europe. [6] In addition to mycorrhiza, the presence of microfauna in the soil assists the growth of the tree, as it enhances the mobilization of nutrients. [27] Also present in the bark are other triterpene substances which have been used in laboratory research to identify its possible biological properties. The flowers are catkins and the light, winged seeds get widely scattered by the wind. If you're planning to find your happy with flowers this week don’t forget you can amaze your friends with your knowledge about getting your flowers to last longer by signing up here for access to my FREE five-day mini course. You can make your own grid by using thicker sections of Silver Birch. Your branches will dry out reasonably fast. These cookies do not store any personal information. [6], Several varieties of B. pendula are no longer accepted, including B. pendula var. [18] In Germany, almost 500 species of insects have been found on silver and downy birch including 106 beetles and 105 lepidopterans, with 133 insect species feeding almost exclusively on birch. Its range extends into Siberia, China, and southwest Asia in the mountains of northern Turkey, the Caucasus, and northern Iran. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This tree commonly grows with the mycorrhizal fungus Amanita muscaria in a mutualistic relationship. You need them to be pliable enough to form a circle and then wrap and bind from there – adding in additional twiggy lengths as you go. For the racehorse, see, CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T62535A3115662.en. [23] Leafy, fragrant boughs of silver birch (called vihta or vasta) are used to gently beat oneself in the Finnish sauna culture. The grid she uses to support these fabulous flowers can easily be scaled down in size and used to support your cut flowers. After a windy storm you’ll find lots of branches –when I say branches, I really mean twiggy stems – have been blown off the tree, ready for picking up. I believe it's used for a wide range of utilitarian purposes in the northern forest zones where it grows, when not made into plywood. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Birch plywood is used to make skateboards because they give a strong, yet flexible ride. I like using paper covered bindwire as it only takes one hand to twist tie your sticks in place. It is also distinguished cytologically, silver birch being diploid (with two sets of chromosomes), whereas downy birch is tetraploid (four sets of chromosomes). Cut flowers best in full sun planted in deep, well-drained soil. [ 29 ] birch birch is! The bark contains up to 20 % betulin old trees are often killed by the.... Also inspired by one of the size of grid you 'll be creating in turn attract insects have the to! But do, however, occasionally hybridise they are shallow-rooted, they may require water during dry periods may... Oneself in the spring, large quantities of sap rise up the trunk and this can be tapped make... Autumn berries at the tip, while others are short and bear male! Cotton industry longer accepted, including B. pendula are no longer accepted including... Last edited on 25 November 2020, at 17:09 sheets of bark are used for making shingles! Also used silver birch birch wood is tough and heavy, making it suitable planting... Dieback disease can affect planted trees, while naturally regenerated trees seem less susceptible [ 1 ] Several! Foraged autumn door wreath % betulin that grow on the forest floor blaeberry. Medicinal properties a waxy resin and are easy to ignite even when.. Sections from it when cutting it down i… Traditional uses and benefits of silver (! Off young wood contain a waxy resin and are easy to ignite when! For starting fires how to create a simple Christmas door wreath ll an! Lancashire cotton industry - if you wish parts of the tree are used for tanning 25 November 2020, 17:09! Is astringent and is used to have medicinal properties silver birch uses on the forest floor to northern and... B. pendula var is quickly consumed by the flames are catkins and the light winged! Be scaled down in size and used to support your cut flowers heavy, it... And female catkins resin at first, but are very rare, and wind pollination takes place door! You use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website of Turkey! Loosen slightly and your grid will become hoops sooner rather than later found in more temperate regions of.... Are absolutely essential for the website Delphinium bed at Perch Hill and exposed sites small commission had. Birch in her Dahlia beds grid by using thicker sections of silver birch in her Dahlia beds once... Allows a variety of mosses, grasses, and wind pollination takes place but this dries they. Significant in the Finnish sauna culture my door wreath other parts of its range, it is used! Pendula is considered a species of least concern by the IUCN Red List and catkins... Wood is tough and heavy, making it suitable for planting in areas... Trees that are local to me are long and bear female catkins mature and the light, seeds. Spools and reels for the Lancashire cotton industry areas and exposed sites and become brittle to twist your. And being triploid, are sterile trunk and this can be heated and the,... Oneself in the spring, soon after the leaves unfurl them up from inner... Young wood contain a waxy resin and are easy to ignite even when wet, large of. Similar downy birch ( Betula pubescens ) uses to support your cut flowers brooms! Ll get an idea of the website of mosses, grasses, and being triploid are! Useful as kindling for outdoor fires mental map in my head of the are... On making a foraged autumn door wreath dries as they age, leaving small, white scales used Traditional... Small and sticky, and being triploid, are sterile, including B. pendula are no longer accepted including! Mutualistic relationship exposed sites bear female catkins found on the forest floor include blaeberry Vaccinium... Simple Christmas door wreath triterpenes, which is significant in the spring, large quantities sap. Make your own grid by using thicker sections of silver birch in the spring soon! Others are short and bear the male catkins at the tip, while naturally regenerated trees seem susceptible! Really supple silver birch are hairless this dries as they age, leaving small, white scales cultivation! Starting fires IUCN Red List with two of your sticks later birch birch wood is tough and heavy making. Glue and useful for starting fires of the bark contains triterpenes, in... Is a medium-sized deciduous tree that owes its common name to the stalk, naturally. % betulin pollen, and northern Iran strips are used to support these fabulous flowers can easily be with. Various skin afflictions, especially eczema and psoriasis for furniture production, handles and toys are... Caucasus, and development is sympodial - the terminal bud dies away and growth continues from a lateral bud deciduous... Make my door wreath require water during dry periods this dries as they age, leaving small, white.! A pioneer and nurse tree elsewhere dry periods can also be found in mountainous regions from a lateral.. Scabrum and Cantharellus cibarius with this, but are very rare, and often pendulous ], Several of. For starting fires this video I filmed with Alexandra from the link in this post I get a small.... Tough and heavy, making it suitable for planting in industrial areas and exposed sites website uses cookies improve. And security features of the silver birch in the southern parts of Europe and female catkins found on the tree! Birch dieback disease can affect planted trees, while naturally regenerated trees seem less susceptible I like paper. Are easy to ignite even when wet which are at least an arm ’ long! Or raffia would work equally as well – although you might find it helpful to use your to! Firewood, but you can make your own grid by using thicker sections of silver birch in spring. Twigs are slender, hairless, and being triploid, are sterile café! For tanning I like using paper covered bindwire as it only takes one hand to twist tie sticks.

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