Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii) Betula utilis
Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii) (Betula utilis) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Betulaceae family, native to Afghanistan through the Himalaya to western and central China; forms the tree line in many places. It grows 12–18 m (39–59 ft) tall and 6–9 m (20–30 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
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Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Betulaceae |
| Mature height | 12–18 m (39–59 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–9 m (20–30 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Afghanistan through the Himalaya to western and central China; forms the tree line in many places |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇮🇳 India, 🇸🇪 Sweden |
Is Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; birch pollen is a common spring 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 Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii)
- How far apart should I plant Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii)?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–9 m (20–30 ft).
- Does Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii)?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii) flower?
- From about April for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii) 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. Not poisonous; birch pollen is a common spring allergen.
- What grows well with Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of Nepal (online flora and checklist), Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with Nepalese and international partners
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- The western Himalayan form sold as var. jacquemontii has brilliant white bark, so it is one of the most planted birches in gardens, often as multi-stemmed groups. The bark peels in thin paper-like sheets that were used as writing material for ancient Sanskrit and Buddhist manuscripts, which is the meaning of bhojpatra.
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
- Silver birch Betula pendula
- 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
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo