Silver birch Betula pendula
Silver birch (Betula pendula) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Betulaceae family. It grows 10–18 m (33–59 ft) tall and 5–8 m (16–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Silver birch in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Silver birch at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Betulaceae |
| Mature height | 10–18 m (33–59 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇮🇪 Ireland |
Is Silver birch toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Birch is not known to be toxic to people, cats or dogs; pollen is a common allergen.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Silver birch
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Silver birch in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (2 plants)
Questions about Silver birch
- How far apart should I plant Silver birch?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–8 m (16–26 ft).
- Does Silver birch need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Silver birch need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Silver birch?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Silver birch flower?
- From about April for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Silver birch poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Birch is not known to be toxic to people, cats or dogs; pollen is a common allergen.
- What grows well with Silver birch?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Silver birch. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Wind pollinated; produces allergenic pollen in spring.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Common hazel Corylus avellana
- River birch Betula nigra
- European hornbeam Carpinus betulus
- Paper birch Betula papyrifera
- Mountain birch Betula pubescens subsp. czerepanovii
- Turkish hazel Corylus colurna
- Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii) Betula utilis
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo