Silver birch. A medium or large tree from Europe and Asia, with distinctive white bark and weeping branches. Fast growing, about 80 cm (2½ ft) per year, reaching 20 m (70 ft) high at maximum. Likes dryish soils on the acid side, and tolerates part shade; extremely hardy, to about -40°C. The wood is used for fuel, furniture, utensils, turnery, wooden nails, cooperage, flooring, handles, clothes pegs etc. Edible parts include the leaves, sap (tapped in the same way as maples), and inner bark; these parts have also been used medicinally. The branches make good besoms. The tree acts as a green manure tree by shedding nutrient-rich leaves which enrich the surrounding soil. Stratification: CS4. Number of seeds: 100.
