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Silver Birch
Stock: Available
Family: Betulaceae
Characteristics: Medium tree 15-20 m generally smaller in cultivation
Seeds per packets: 100
A popular ornamental upright medium sized deciduous tree with silvery white bark and graceful a habit. Grows to a height of 15-20 m in its native range it is often smaller in cultivation.
In mid-summer the female catkins mature and the male catkins expand to release pollen. Pollination is achieved by wind. Mature seed catkins persist on the tree after the leaves fall until they disintegrate and release the seed.
Indigenous to Europe and Asia Minor.
Prefers a cool deep well-drained soil in an open sunny position, frost resistant but drought tender.
Cold stratification is recommended for this species. This can be replicated by cold stratification in the refrigerator or alternatively over wintering in the garden in cold climates will assist germination.
Cold treatment is not critical for germination to occur but should give increased germination rates.
Seed are best sown in spring. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 16-22°C
General note: Seeds of many plants are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.