There are several varieties of birch in the gardens including ones with cut leaves, and weeping ones. They are native throughout the UK and usually grow well in most conditions, but are short lived. The Himalayan birch pictured above has slightly less white bark than other birches but has an attractive compact form and lovely peeling bark. The bark on the lower part of this tree is black with diamond shaped fissures, and rugged where the bark has shredded and gone. Although the twigs look smooth they have small dark warts which makes them feel rough.
In good conditions this deciduous tree can reach 30 metres. The leaves are a light green, and are small and triangular-shaped with a toothed edge; they fade to yellow in autumn.
“Silver birch is monoecious, meaning both male and female flowers (catkins) are found on the same tree, from April to May. The flowers appear from April to May. Male catkins are long and yellow-brown in colour, and hang in groups of two to four at the tips of shoots, like lambs’ tails. Female catkins are smaller, short, bright green and erect. After successful pollination (by wind), female catkins thicken and change colour to a dark crimson. Masses of tiny seeds are borne in autumn and dispersed by the wind.” (Woodland Trust)
It’s said that birch can help to ease acne. (The leaves are diuretic and antiseptic, and an effective remedy for cystitis and other urinary tract infections. They were also used to dissolve kidney stones and relieve rheumatism and gout. The sap as wine or cordial similarly prevents kidney and bladder stones and treats rheumatism).
Being such an ancient tree it’s hardly surprising that there’s a lot of mythology and folklore surrounding it. It is a marker for new beginnings eg leaving childhood for life as an adult, and babies cradles were often made from birch. Symbolically, it has been used as a living maypole and is associated with fertility. The name birch is thought to come from the Sanskrit word bhurga meaning a ‘tree whose bark is used to write upon’. In mythology the Silver Birch takes a female form – it’s ancient name is Graceful Lady of the Woods. It appears fragile and delicate but it is extremely hardy and supposedly shows great strength can come from apparent weakness. Oh, and of course, fairies are supposed to live under it.