Betula or Silver Birch are graceful deciduous trees with light foliage and characteristic peeling bark. They bear triangular, double-teethed leaves which are pale green in colour turning to a beautiful golden yellow during the Autumn months. Birch trees thrive in full sun and require moist but well-drained soil. In a garden setting it is advised to add a high quality fertiliser when planting such as a tree and shrub compost. On average, in the right environment Birch trees can grow up to 25 metres in height.If planting trees staking is often needed, but it should be no higher than 60cm (2ft) above the ground. Tree Staking Advice.

Historically, Betula wood had many different uses and was often seen as a building material in Scottish houses. Today the timber is commonly used for creating racecourse jumps, the bark is used in the tanning process of leather and the tree sap is used medicinally as a cure for kidney stones. Traditionl folklaw says that Birch trees protect from evil spirits and symbolise love and fertility.