Betula pendula Gracilis - Weeping Birch

Betula pendula 'Gracilis' is a beautiful form of the weeping birch with laciniated foliage. Over time, this tree adopts the graceful habit expected of it and its white bark becomes creviced. In season, it dresses itself in fine-textured foliage, which turns golden in autumn. This birch undoubtedly has elegance. It will make a beautiful specimen to place in isolation in a park or large garden.

Native to mainly Central Europe and temperate Asia, Betula pendula (syn. B. verrucosa) or weeping birch is a large tree from the birch family. It is widespread, but absent from the Mediterranean region. This species, extremely resistant to cold, naturally has a pyramidal habit, a more or less straight trunk, and a generally oval crown carried by long branches with trailing twigs. Its annual growth is about 35 cm in height and 20 cm in width.

The 'Gracilis' form distinguishes itself with its more modest growth and its leaves deeply cut at the edges, irregularly toothed. This birch has a pyramidal habit when young. After a few years, a more or less straight leading branch shoots up, supporting an elongated crown. The inclined and erect secondary branches bear thin and very long twigs that hang down strongly, almost vertically. Eventually, this birch will reach an average height of 11 m with a spread of 8 m. With time, the bark on the trunk or older branches becomes very rough and develops deep crevices. The twigs are reddish-brown and punctuated by white warty lenticels. The foliage is deciduous, with leaves that are light green until late summer, then turn yellow to brown in autumn before falling. The inconspicuous flowering occurs in March-April in the form of greenish-yellow catkins.

The 'Gracilis' Weeping Birch is a very hardy tree and resistant to diseases. It adapts to a wide range of soils and requires a bright but not scorching exposure, in full sun or partial shade. It will have a stunning effect when isolated on a large lawn. Plant spring bulbs or cyclamen at its base, with ease.