What soil does Young's weeping birch grow in?

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

Is Young's weeping 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 Young's weeping birch be planted?

Plant it at least 3 m from buildings. Keep it at least 2.5 m from paving.

When does Young's weeping birch flower?

Flowering: April, yellow, green.

How much water does Young's weeping birch need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does Young's weeping birch cost?

It sells for roughly HUF 94,000 to HUF 110,000 in local shops, depending on size.

Young's weeping birch

Betula pendula 'Youngii'

Young's weeping birch (Betula pendula 'Youngii') is a small tree. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -45 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Sold in local shops from about HUF 94,000.

Illustration of Young's weeping birch — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

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

A top-grafted, umbrella-shaped weeping birch: the crown does not grow upwards but builds a wide dome from which thin twigs hang like a curtain down to the ground. Its height is set largely by the graft point (usually 1.5 to 2.5 metres); in time the tree is 4 to 6 metres tall but can be considerably wider, so plant it as a specimen and leave room to the sides. The white bark shows in winter too and the leaves turn yellow in autumn. It wants sun and loose, moist soil, and its root zone should not be trampled or paved.

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, lasting water shortage causes dieback, and weakened trees are attacked by borers and other pests, so water deeply in dry spells and mulch the soil. It does not tolerate soil compaction, root disturbance or paving. Do not prune in spring, because it bleeds sap heavily. The leader does not grow upwards on its own: if you want a taller tree it has to be trained up a stake while young, otherwise it stays a low, wide umbrella. Aphids and leaf-mining sawflies occur on the foliage.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 3.5 m × 3 m
Hardiness: down to -45 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April, yellow, green

Group	Small tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	3.5 m × 3 m
Ultimate size	3–6 m × 3–8 m
Hardiness	down to -45 °C (USDA 2, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Acidic, Clay
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April, yellow, green
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Medium
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 3 m
Distance from paving	at least 2.5 m
Litter	Leaves
Planting distance	400 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about HUF 94,000

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

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
8/10 cm trunk girth	approx. HUF 94,000
12/14 cm trunk girth	approx. HUF 110,000

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

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