Betula pendula
Silver birch Ht 10-20m
Europe and N. Asia. Narrowly weeping, deciduous. Bark white, developing dark, rugged cracks at the base with age. Tough, vigorous pioneer species. Yellow autumn colour can be spoilt by birch rust in some seasons. Yields hard white timber.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Timber
- Firewood
- Erosion control
- Shelter
Betula papyrifera
Paper birch Ht 20-30m
Northern North America. Broadly conical, deciduous. Bark white, peeling in thin layers, pale pinkish-orange when freshly exposed. Leaves relatively large, bright yellow in autumn. Yields hard white timber.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Timber
- Firewood
- Erosion control
- Shelter
Betula jacquemontii
White bark Himalayan birch Ht 15-25m
Broadly conical, deciduous. White bark and large dark green leaves. Long hanging male catkins in spring. One of the best ornamental birches. Seed raised from selected parents free from birch rust.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Firewood
- Erosion control
- Shelter
Betula ermanii
Erman's or Gold birch Ht 15-20m
Broadly conical, deciduous. Pure white to pinkish white bark, peeling in thin rolls. Dark green leaves, golden in autumn. Long drooping male catkins in spring. A lovely rust free birch, very vigorous, highly recommended. Suitable for firewood.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Firewood
Amelanchier canadensis
Shad bush Ht 2-5m
Eastern North America. Broadly spreading, deciduous. Attractive tall shrub. Bronzey new leaves, masses of small white flowers, small red fruits for the birds in November and December. Yellow to red autumn colours. Very hardy.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Shrub
- Deciduous
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive autumn colours - orange
- Attractive autumn colours - red
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Edible fruits and seeds
- Erosion control
Aesculus indica
Indian horse chestnut Ht 20-30m
Northwest Himalayas. Broadly columnar, deciduous. Creates heavy shade. Creamy white flowers much later than A. hippocastanum. Conkers are almost black and produced in smooth skinned fruits. Drought and heat tolerant.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive autumn colours - orange
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Tolerates limestone soils
Aesculus hippocastanum
Horse chestnut Ht 20-30m
Albania and Nth Greece. Broadly conical, deciduous. Large palmate compound leaves produce a dense shade. Large creamy white flowers, then prickly oval fruits, enclosing polished conkers prized by schoolboys in the UK. Best in fertile soils.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Large tree
- Deciduous
- Intolerant to clay soils
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Tolerates limestone soils
Acer saccharinum
Silver maple Ht 25-30m
East North America. Broadly columnar, deciduous. Grows in moist soils and riverbanks in its native habitat. Vigorous grower. Attractive autumn tints. Maple timber is highly prized in the USA for flooring.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive autumn colours - orange
- Attractive autumn colours - red
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Timber
Acer saccharum
Sugar maple Ht 20-30m
Broadly columnar, deciduous. Appears to need fertile soils for good growth. Also known as rock maple. Spring sap is processed into maple syrup in USA and now in NZ. Orange is the predominant autumn colour, quite spectacular. Cold hardy.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive autumn colours - orange
- Attractive autumn colours - red
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Timber
Acer rubescens
Taiwan mountain maple Ht 5-10m
Broadly spreading, deciduous holding leaves late, turning yellow. Suited to milder areas. Seeds hang in long bunches, many infertile. Rare in N.Z.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
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