Tree · Betulaceae familyornamental and medicinal · also in Medicinal herbs

Silver birch

Betula pendula

Full sun to part shade in a garden ~6 m × ~4 m to −45 °C

Herbal tea (infusion)

Herbal tea · dose2–3 gof dried leaves

steep5–15 min

how oftenup to 4× a day

Full method

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade

in a garden after 10 years~6 m
in the wild up to 25 m
spacing 8 m

PlantingMarch–April, October–November

WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in soil from dry to moist.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more

Part shade3–6 hours

Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH

acidicneutralalkaline

dry to moistnot fussy about soil

Watering

keep the soil evenly moistless when it rains

Frost

−45 °C

no winter protectionleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

12–25 m× spread 6–12 m

Plant 8 m apart.

Reaches maturity in about 20–50 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

PlantingFeeding

Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, bare-root, root-balled).

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November; bare-root: March–April, October–November; root-balled: March–April, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level

Honey fungus

Armillaria

High riskdiseasesource covers the whole genus

What you will see

Dieback of branches or the whole plant, smaller pale leaves. Under the bark at the root collar, white spongy tissue with a mushroom smell. Honey-coloured clusters of toadstools in autumn.

The source says: it is among the plants particularly susceptible to honey fungus.

When to look

Summer – autumn

How to protect

Prevention
- Choose the least susceptible species; risky ground after old trees have been felled.
By hand all yearOnce confirmed, dig up and destroy affected roots and stumps; sink a 45 cm deep plastic barrier into the soil. There is no chemical control for gardeners.

Honey fungusdisease · summer – autumnHigh risk

What you will see

Dieback of branches or the whole plant, smaller pale leaves. Under the bark at the root collar, white spongy tissue with a mushroom smell. Honey-coloured clusters of toadstools in autumn.

The source says: it is among the plants particularly susceptible to honey fungus.

When to look

Summer – autumn

How to protect

Prevention
- Choose the least susceptible species; risky ground after old trees have been felled.
By hand all yearOnce confirmed, dig up and destroy affected roots and stumps; sink a 45 cm deep plastic barrier into the soil. There is no chemical control for gardeners.

Birch rust

Melampsoridium betulinum

diseasesource covers the whole genus

What you will see

Powdery orange pustules on the underside of leaves, leaves drop early. In cool, damp weather.

How to protect

Prevention
- Rake up fallen leaves.
By hand autumnRake up and remove fallen leaves.

Birch rustdisease

What you will see

Powdery orange pustules on the underside of leaves, leaves drop early. In cool, damp weather.

How to protect

Prevention
- Rake up fallen leaves.
By hand autumnRake up and remove fallen leaves.

Birch anthracnose / leaf spot

Discula betulina

diseasesource covers the whole genus

What you will see

Spots on leaves, mostly on lower branches, in rainy springs.

How to protect

Prevention
- Rake up fallen leaves.
By hand autumnRemove and destroy fallen leaves.

Birch anthracnose / leaf spotdisease

What you will see

Spots on leaves, mostly on lower branches, in rainy springs.

How to protect

Prevention
- Rake up fallen leaves.
By hand autumnRemove and destroy fallen leaves.

Sources (3)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Does silver birch tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does silver birch need?

At maturity 6–12 m wide and 12–25 m tall; recommended spacing 8 m.

Birch rust — what can you do?

Rake up fallen leaves. Rake up and remove fallen leaves.

Birch anthracnose / leaf spot — what can you do?

Rake up fallen leaves. Remove and destroy fallen leaves.

Sources (24) Checked 24 October 2026

plants.ces.ncsu.edu
landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu
vdberk.com
api.gbif.org
gd.eppo.int
polleninformation.at
pollenundallergie.ch
rhs.org.uk 2 3 4 5 6
missouribotanicalgarden.org
ema.europa.eu 2
hgic.clemson.edu
lwg.bayern.de
Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark

Similar plants

Have a look at these too.

European hornbeam

Carpinus betulus

10–20 m × 8–15 m

Low maintenancetree

West Himalayan birch

Betula utilis subsp. jacquemontii

10–15 m × 5–8 m

Low maintenancetree

white fir

Abies concolor

15–25 m × 3–12 m

Low maintenancetree

horse chestnut

Aesculus hippocastanum

20–25 m × 15–20 m

Low maintenancetree

Preparation and use · silver birch

How to prepare it.

According to the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Part usedLeaf

as an adjunct to flush the urinary tract in minor urinary complaints

part: leaf

For: as an adjunct to flush the urinary tract in minor urinary complaints For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly

What you use: Herb
How it is used: By mouth
Single dose: 2–3 g of dried leaves in 150 ml of boiling water
How often: Up to 4× a day
Fluids: Drink plenty of fluids while using it
How long: Usually taken for 2–4 weeks.

Method

1
Put 2–3 g of dried leaves in a cup.
2
Pour over 150 ml of boiling water.
3
Steep for 5–15 min.
10:00
4
Drink up to 4× a day.
5
Drink plenty of fluids while using it.

Dosage

Form	Single dose	How often	For whom	How long	Instructions
Herbal tea (infusion)at homepart: leaf	2–3 g of dried leaves in 150 ml of boiling water	up to 4× a day	From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly	usually 2–4 weeks	Fluids: drink plenty of fluids while using it
Children under 12: not recommended

How long

Usually taken for 2–4 weeks.

Who should not use it

Children under 12: not recommended
If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plant
If allergic to birch pollen
When a doctor advises reduced fluid intake (e.g. severe heart or kidney disease)
During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended)

Cautions

If fever, painful urination, spasms or blood in the urine occur, see a doctor.
If symptoms persist, see a doctor.

Usage data: European Medicines Agency (EMA) monograph — Betulae folium·Steeping time: EMA glossary on herbal teas

Silver birch in a raised bed: where to plant, size, pruning, winterGrowing

This is not medical advice. More

This is not medical advice. We only state traditional use as described in the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA, HMPC committee). If you have health problems, are pregnant or breastfeeding, for children and when taking medicines, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Plan this plant in your garden in Studio