Betula costata (Korean Birch, Creamy Bark Birch, Chinese Birch)


Botanical Information

FamilyBetulaceae
GenusBetula
Speciescostata
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
OriginChina, Korea and Russia.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
Used for making carrying poles, charcoal and fuel.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone6
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone5a - 6a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH6 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)(-23) - (-18)
Temperature (°F)(-10) - 0
HeightUp to 30 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMay, June

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionBetula costata is a birch tree with peeling bark and serrated leaves. This tree has been placed on the IUCN Red List as least concern.
Notable SpecimensRHS Garden Rosemoor, North Devon, England.
HabitatMixed forests at an altitude of 600-2,500 m.
Bark/Stem DescriptionGreyish-brown, peeling, papery, old bark is scaly. Glabrous reddish-brown branches.
Leaf DescriptionOvate, 5-8 cm, finely and acutely biserrate, base rounded or slightly heart-shaped to wedge-shaped, light green beneath. Veins are prominent and paired oppositely.
Flower DescriptionCatkins are ellipsoid to subglobose, 2 cm.
Fruit DescriptionNutlet 2.5 mm in size, obovate and glabrous with wings 1/2 the nutlet's width. Produced July through September.
Texture DescriptionWood is coarse and cracks easily.

Photographs