What soil does Silver birch grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, acidic.

Is Silver birch hardy?

Hardy down to -45 °C (USDA zone 2, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Silver birch be planted?

Plant it at least 8 m from buildings. Keep it at least 2.5 m from paving.

When does Silver birch flower?

Flowering: March–April, yellow, green.

How much water does Silver birch need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

Silver birch

Betula pendula

Silver birch (Betula pendula) is a large tree. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -45 °C. Drought tolerance: low.

Illustration of Silver birch — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

An airy, fast-growing native tree with a loose crown, bright white bark and drooping twigs that looks good in winter too and turns yellow in autumn. It is happiest in cooler, more humid sites and in loose, moist, rather acidic soil; in hot, dry gardens on limy ground it is short-lived, and its shallow roots need regular watering during drought. Its pollen is one of the strongest spring allergens, so do not plant it if anyone in the family or next door is sensitive to birch.

Watch out for

It copes badly with the hot, dry summers of Central Europe: because of its shallow roots it yellows and sheds leaves in summer droughts, prolonged water shortage kills the top and then the whole tree, and in lowland gardens on limy soil it often lives only a few decades. Weakened trees are attacked by jewel beetles (birch borers) and bark beetles, and aphids and leaf-mining sawflies occur on the foliage. It does not tolerate soil compaction or paving over its roots. Do not prune in spring, because it bleeds sap heavily.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 8 m × 4 m
Hardiness: down to -45 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D March–April, yellow, green

All details

Group	Large tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	8 m × 4 m
Ultimate size	15–25 m × 6–12 m
Hardiness	down to -45 °C (USDA 2, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	March–April, yellow, green
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Medium
Suckering	no
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 8 m
Distance from paving	at least 2.5 m
Litter	Leaves, Fruit
Planting distance	500 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

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Plants with autumn colour Large trees with autumn colour

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