Betula utilis jacquemontii

Betula utilis var. jacquemontii is one of the most popular specimen trees in British gardens, prized for its brilliant pure-white bark which glows in winter sun. Holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Forms a medium to large tree, reaching around 12 to 15m tall, often grown as a multi-stem to show off the bark from several angles. Yellow catkins in spring, fresh green ovate leaves through summer, then a warm yellow autumn display before the leaves drop.

Plant in any moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Tough and hardy, tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Minimal pruning, only in summer to avoid sap bleed.

A proper specimen tree for a lawn, a front garden, or grouped as a multi-stem planting where the white bark can take centre stage through winter.