Japanese White Birch, Betula platyphylla japonica Whitespire, Tree Seeds


Fast Growth, Hardy, Adaptable, Showy White Bark, Fall Color, Winter Interest, Cold Tolerant


This White Birch is native to Manchuria, Korea and Japan. It is closely related to Betula pendula. It is a medium to large sized tree that typically grows to 30 to 40 feet tall with a pyramidal habit. This tree is noted for its white bark, thin spreading branches and slightly pendant branchlets. Ovate, glabrous, toothed, yellowish-green leaves to 3 inches long, have tapered tips. Fall color is yellow. 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. Female flowers are followed by drooping cone-like fruits containing numerous small winged seeds that typically mature in late summer. Young twigs have resinous glands.


The Whitespire cultivar is more resistant to heat, drought and birch borers.

Other Names: Asian White Birch, Betula platyphylla var. japonica whitespire

Zone: 4 to 7
Growth Rate: Fast

Plant Type: Deciduous Tree
Family: Betulaceae
Native Range: Manchuria, Korea, Japan
Height: 40 to 50 feet
Spread: 15 to 30 feet
Shape: Pyramidal

Bloom Time: March - April
Bloom Color: Yellowish brown (male) and green (female)

Flower/Fruit: Inconspicuous flowers in early spring followed by 1-1.5" fruit on drooping catkins

Sun: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water: Medium to Wet
Maintenance: Medium

Fall Color: Golden/yellow

Drought Tolerance: Moderate

Site Requirements /Soil Conditions: Best grown in medium to wet, well-drained, sandy or rocky loams in full sun to part shade. It needs consistently moist soils. Consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist. It needs little pruning, but if necessary, prune during the dormant season. Avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running. Performs 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.

Culture: Birches adapt to a wide variety of soils, including winter-saturated soils. It looks sensational planted in a grove. Lower branches can be removed when they are small to show off the beautiful trunk, but in general, birches respond poorly to pruning. The best tactic is to plant the tree where is has plenty of space and leave it alone.


Sowing Betula platyphylla japonica Seeds:

The seeds of Japanese Whitespire Birch are very small.

For best results, please follow the instructions in the order provided.

Stratify: Cold 30-60 days, 40 Degrees F in a Moist Medium.

Germination: Surface sow indoors, requires light for germination. Artificial Light is Recommended.

For more information about seed pretreatment and growing trees and shrubs from seed, please download this .pdf:

https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2007/08/fcpg018.pdf


Germination:

  1. Seeds Packets are labeled with seed name and sowing details.
  2. Seeds have not been pretreated unless specified in the listing.
  3. Seed is not a specific Cultivar (Variety) unless specified in the listing.
  4. Due to the many factors involved in successful germination, Seller cannot be responsible for buyers growing methods or mistakes.
  5. I have provided what I believe to be a good overview on this page (which you are free to print for further reference), however, it is still recommended to check specialist literature for more details and practices specific to your climate and soil conditions to avoid mistakes in the germination and growing process.

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