Mountain birch Betula pubescens subsp. czerepanovii
Mountain birch (Betula pubescens subsp. czerepanovii) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Betulaceae family, native to Northern Fennoscandia, Iceland and Greenland (the subarctic tree line). It grows 3–8 m (10–26 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -45 °C (-49 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Mountain birch in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Mountain birch at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Betulaceae |
| Mature height | 3–8 m (10–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -45 °C (-49 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 2) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: sap |
| Native to | Northern Fennoscandia, Iceland and Greenland (the subarctic tree line) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia |
Is Mountain birch toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
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 Mountain birch
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Mountain birch in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (18 plants)
Questions about Mountain birch
- How far apart should I plant Mountain birch?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Mountain birch need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mountain birch need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Mountain birch?
- It tolerates about -45 °C (-49 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 2.
- When does Mountain birch flower?
- From about June for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Mountain 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. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Mountain birch?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mountain birch. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Norwegian species and red-list information, Artsdatabanken
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden, Tromsø, The Arctic University Museum of Norway (UiT)
Notes and assumptions
- Arctic-alpine: needs cold winters with snow cover, cool summers and sharp drainage; struggles in warm, humid lowlands.
- Gnarled, often multi-stemmed birch woodland that forms the tree line round Tromsø; leaves flush in early June and colour gold in early September.
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
- Turkish hazel Corylus colurna
- Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii) Betula utilis
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo