Betula platyphylla v. japonica
Japanese white birch Ht 15-25m
Narrowly weeping, deciduous. Bark pure white and retained to ground level longer than B. pendula. Leaves larger than B. pendula. Not affected by rust and has bright yellow autumn colour. Highly recommended.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Timber
- Firewood
- Erosion control
- Shelter
Betula pendula f. tristis
Silver birch with narrow form Ht 10-20m
Long weeping branches. The bark remains white to the ground longer than the usual form. Tough vigorous pioneering species. Yellow autumn colour can be spoilt by birch rust in some seasons. Yields a hard white timber.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Firewood
- Erosion control
- Shelter
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 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
Alnus x spaethii
Hybrid alder (A.japonica x A.subcordata) Ht 20-25m
Narrowly conical at Eastwoodhill Arboretum, deciduous, leaves similar to A .subcordata. Smaller growing, neat shelter tree.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
Alnus glutinosa
European or black alder Ht 20-25m
Broadly conical, deciduous. Vigorous growth and good form. Habitat beside rivers and will grow in very wet places. Tolerates salt winds better than the other alders. Good firewood crop to utilise wet ground. Timber durable under water.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Timber
- Firewood
- Erosion control
- Shelter
Alnus cremastogyne
Long peducled alder Ht 25-30m
Narrow crown, shading is minimal with good grass growth. Deep roots fix nitrogen and hold the soil. Grows well on dry Gisborne and Nelson hillsides, deciduous for 6 weeks. Cold hardiness not tested further south.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates dry sites
Alnus cordata
Italian alder Ht 25-30m
Corsica, central and S. Italy. Broadly conical, deciduous, fast growing, roots penetrate deeply. Popular for horticultural shelterbelts, trims well into a narrow tall hedge. Sheds some leaves in drought conditions. Used as a nurse crop with oak and redwood providing mycorrhiza, nitrogen and side shade to reduce epicormic regrowth on pruned final crop trees.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Firewood
- Erosion control
- Shelter
- Tolerates pumice soils
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
Pages
