Description
This is an outstanding tree for winter interest; the attractive bark peels to reveal multiple layers of bark which show different colours simultaneously. On the same tree you will get coppery pink, burnt orange and russet brown. In spring yellow-brown catkins appear at the same time as the ovate, tapered, dark-green leaves. The leaves are lustrous and add a healthy splash of colour throughout spring and summer, before turning golden yellow in autumn and falling.
This Chinese native makes a fantastic addition to a medium-large sized garden and it will become a good-sized tree; it makes a wonderful specimen but also works well when planted with other birch trees, particularly next to ones with accent colours like the Betula utilis ‘Snow Queen’.
Common Name: Chinese Red Birch
Latin Name: Betula albo-sinensis ‘Kansu’