Betula platyphylla var. japonica
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BET-yoo-luh plat-TY-fil-uh var. juh-PON-ih-kuh
- Description
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Betula is Latin for birch and describes a genus of about 60 species of deciduous trees and shrubs found in many gardens and landscapes throughout the northern hemisphere. Betula platyphylla var. japonica, or Japanese White Birch, is a cultivar of Betula platyphylla with a pyramidal form, white bark that does not exfoliate, a central leader and thin, spreading, slightly pendant branches.
Birches are best grown in moist, acidic, sandy or rocky, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. Best foliage color occurs in full sun, but if the plant is sited in an area of summer heat and humidity, it will appreciate afternoon partial shade. The plant does best in cool northern climates where summer temperatures rarely exceed 75 degrees F. and where root zones are generally covered with snow throughout the winter. Keep the tree consistently moist and consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist. It needs little pruning, but if necessary, you can prune during the dormant season. Do not prune in winter or spring when the sap is running because it will bleed.
Birches are considered a "pioneer" species and, thus, tends to grow quickly when young. Tiny monoecious (male and female) flowers appear in early spring in separate catkins on the same tree. Greenish female flowers are followed by drooping cone-like fruits containing numerous small winged seeds that typically mature in late summer.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
Birches can become stressed by summer heat and humidity. It is not recommended for planting south of USDA Zone 7. If stressed, birches can become vulnerable to the bronze birch borer which infects and kills trees. Aphids, leaf miner and birch skeletonizer may also occur. Watch for leaf spot problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Betula
- Species:
- platyphylla
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Manchuria, Korea, and Japan
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports the larvae of Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilo glaucus). They have three flights from February-November in the deep south and March-September in the north. The adult Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies feed on milkweed, joe pye weed, wild cherry, and lilac.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- tolerates deer
- Edibility:
- Sap has been used to make vinegar.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Pyramidal
- Spreading
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Female flowers are followed by drooping cone-like fruits containing numerous small winged seeds that typically mature in late summer.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny monoecious flowers appear in early spring in separate catkins on the same tree: yellowish-brown male flowers in drooping catkins (to 3 inches long) and greenish female flowers in smaller, upright catkins (to 1 1/4 inches long).
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has 1.5 to 3 inch, alternate, and simple leaves that turn a yellow fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- White
- Surface/Attachment:
- Papery
- Peeling
- Bark Description:
- White bark
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Thin, spreading branches. Young twigs have resinous glands.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer