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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Betula ermanii is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
B. incisa. B. shikokiana.
Habitats
Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;
Edible Uses
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiseborrheic Vulnerary
Vulnerary. The bark is used to bandage wounds[61].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Pioneer
The tree colonizes poor soils and cleared woodlands in the wild[11]. This makes it suitable for use as a pioneer species for re-establishing woodlands. It is a quite short-lived species, but grows fairly quickly and creates suitable conditions for more permanent trees to become established. Because its seedlings do not grow well in shady conditions, the birch is eventually out-competed by the other woodland trees.
Special Uses
Dynamic accumulator
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Succeeds in a well-drained loamy soil in a sheltered position[11, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes wet soils[200]. Shade tolerant[200]. A very polymorphic species[58], it hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[50]. The young growth in spring is subject to damage by late frosts[1]. A colonizer of poor soils and cleared woodlands, it tolerates very poor soils[11]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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The PFAF Bookshop
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Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[78, 80, 113, 134]. Only just cover the seed and place the pot in a sunny position[78, 80, 134]. Spring sown seed should be surface sown in a sunny position in a cold frame[113, 134]. If the germination is poor, raising the temperature by covering the seed with glass can help[134]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed, it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed, either as soon as it is ripe or in the early spring - do not cover the spring sown seed. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for 2 years before planting them out into their permanent positions in the winter[78, 80, 113, 134].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Alnus acuminata | Alder | Tree | 25.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Alnus cordata | Italian Alder | Tree | 25.0 |
5-9
| F | MH | SN | DMWe | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Alnus glutinosa | Alder, European alder , Common Alder, Black Alder | Tree | 25.0 |
3-7
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Alnus hirsuta | | Tree | 18.0 |
3-7
| | MH | SN | MWe | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Alnus incana | Grey Alder, Speckled alder, Thinleaf alder, White Alder | Tree | 18.0 |
2-6
| F | MH | SN | DMWe | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Alnus japonica | Japanese Alder | Tree | 22.0 |
4-8
| F | MH | SN | DMWe | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Alnus jorullensis | Mexican alder, Evergreen Alder | Tree | 25.0 |
7-12
| F | LMH | SN | MWe | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Alnus maritima | Seaside Alder, Beach Alder | Tree | 9.0 |
3-7
| M | MH | N | MWe | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Alnus maximowiczii | | Tree | 9.0 |
4-8
| | MH | SN | MWe | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Alnus nepalensis | Nepalese Alder | Tree | 22.0 |
8-11
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Alnus nitida | | Tree | 30.0 |
7-10
| | MH | SN | DMWe | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Alnus rhombifolia | White Alder | Tree | 12.0 |
8-11
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Alnus rubra | Red Alder, Oregon Alder | Tree | 20.0 |
6-8
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Alnus rugosa | Speckled Alder | Tree | 22.0 |
2-6
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Alnus serrulata | Smooth Alder, Hazel alder | Shrub | 4.5 |
3-9
| | MH | N | MWe | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Alnus sinuata | Sitka Alder | Shrub | 4.0 |
2-9
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Alnus tenuifolia | Mountain Alder, Thinleaf alder | Tree | 9.0 |
5-7
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Alnus viridis crispa | American Green Alder | Shrub | 3.0 |
4-8
| | MH | SN | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Betula alleghaniensis | Yellow Birch, Swamp Birch | Tree | 12.0 |
3-7
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Betula alnoides | | Tree | 40.0 |
7-10
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Betula glandulosa | Scrub Birch | Shrub | 2.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Betula kenaica | Kenai Birch | Tree | 12.0 |
0-0
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Betula lenta | Cherry Birch, Sweet birch, Black Birch, Cherry Birch | Tree | 24.0 |
3-7
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Betula nana | Dwarf Birch | Shrub | 0.3 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Betula nigra | River Birch, Black Birch, Red Birch, Water Birch, River Birch | Tree | 20.0 |
3-9
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Betula occidentalis | Water Birch | Tree | 9.0 |
0-0
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Betula papyrifera | Paper Birch, Mountain paper birch, Kenai birch | Tree | 20.0 |
0-0
| F | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Betula pendula | Silver Birch, European white birch, Common Birch, Warty Birch, European White Birch | Tree | 20.0 |
2-6
| F | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Betula platyphylla | White Birch, Asian white birch, | Tree | 20.0 |
3-6
| F | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
Cham.
Botanical References
1158200
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