Betula albosinensis seed

LATIN NAME: BETULA ALBOSINENSIS

COMMON NAME: Chinese Red Birch

The Chinese red birch scrolls the deciduous tree with the oval, toothed leaves and the smooth, peeling bark in the creamy whites, the pinks and the reds that scrolls and peels in the thin papery sheets, the slender, upright catkins following the leaves in the spring, the small, winged nutlets inside. The tree grows steadily into the open, airy crown, and it likes the sun, and the moist, well-drained soil.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

The peeling, colourful bark of the Chinese red birch gives it a recognised place in the research on the cool-climate ornamental trees of the birch group, and the albosinensis species appears in the studies of the papery bark development and the pioneer forest growth. The work looks at the way the bark scrolls into the papery sheets, the quick soil-stabilising growth, and the seed biology. The horticulturists value the striking bark, and the growers of the ornamental woodland trees keep the species in their catalogues.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

In the cool garden, the Chinese red birch scrolls the winter garden with the pink-white bark. The peeling bark lights the bare season, the airy crown makes the fine specimen and the clump, and the birch timber serves the crafts and the fuel for the ages. It grows well in the moist, well-drained, sunny ground. Pink-barked, airy and winter-bright.

To grow the Chinese Red Birch from seed, sow the seeds into the fine, sandy drills of the open bed in the autumn, then cover them lightly, keep the drills cool and gently watered, and the young trees push up through the spring.

Keep the drills cool and gently watered, and give the young trees the open, sunny spot. The scroll bark comes over the years. Stand the young trees in the moist, sunny ground, and the scroll bark will peel within a few seasons.

 

 

 

 

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Betula albosinensis is native to much of China. Betula albosinensis Fascination was selected from a nursery in Holland. This fine pyrimidal, deciduous, small tree, with a dense canopy of dark green leaves, is notable for its attractive bark which is rich orange-red to orange-brown and peels off in sheets to reveal the lower layers of bark, each slightly lighter in colour than the last. When wet the young bark shimmers, looking almost iridescent. There is however more! When the trunk matures it becomes a striking white. Altogether a beautiful contrast to the darker upper branches. In spring the tree produces a wonderful show of large yellow catkins, up to 10cm long. Fascination can only be reliably reproduced by vegative propagation. These plants are cutting raised. This plant can be used in a mixed planting or as a stand alone specimen in the garden or can easily be grown in a pot or other container. Use a good quality John Innes compost. Ensure you feed regularly as a hungry plant is a poor performer. We recommend Osmoscote pro 8-9 month applied in the early spring. One application gives all the nutrients the plant requires.

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Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis / Chinese Red Birch
One of the most exquisite birches native to China. Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis makes a beautiful slender medium size tree. The open and ascending branch structure ensures constant views of the glistening bark that is coppery-red at first then aging to creamy pinks and crimsons before exfoliating in large sheets
In early spring male catkins provide extra interest in shades of honey and yellow and can reach up to 10cm long before the matt green leaves appear. When in full leaf the tree provides the trademark birch dappled shade, fragmenting the sunlight and casting dancing shadows.
This is a rare birch that you will not see too often but is well suited to UK growing. Like most birches it will perform happily in any reasonably good ground. Full Hardy

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