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Downy Birch can grow to 25 metres
in height and has brownish grey bark which is quite smooth and has no
rough fissures near its base, distinguishing it from Silver Birch. The
branches are more upright than Silver Birch and are not pendulous as the
tree matures. The leaves are broader with a much blunter tip than Silver
Birch. The teeth on the leaf margins are generally all of the same size.
The leaf stalks are hairy and the catkins similar to those of Silver
Birch. Downy Birch tends to grow on moist, peaty soils and can form
woodlands. It is often confused with Silver Birch which hybridises readily
with it. In Britain, the true Downy Birch is just as common as Silver
Birch. |
