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Betula utilis - D.Don.

Common Name Indian Paper Birch, Whitebarked Himilayan Birch, Jacquemontii Birch
Family Betulaceae
USDA hardiness 5-6
Known Hazards The aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons in birch tar are irritating to the skin. Do not use in patients with oedema or with poor kidney or heart functions [301]
Habitats Forests at the upper height limit of tree growth[51], rarely found below 3000 metres[146]. Moist hillsides at elevations of 2000 - 4000 metres in Nepal[272].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas to S.W. China.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Betula utilis Indian Paper Birch, Whitebarked Himilayan Birch, Jacquemontii Birch


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sten
Betula utilis Indian Paper Birch, Whitebarked Himilayan Birch, Jacquemontii Birch
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:TeunSpaans

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Brown. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Early winter, Late spring, Late winter, Mid spring, Mid winter. Form: Oval, Pyramidal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Betula utilis is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft 7in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen in October. 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 soil. 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. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Betula bhojpattra.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

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  Antiseptic  Carminative  Urinary

An infusion of the bark is antiseptic and carminative[240, 243, 272]. It has been used in the treatment of hysteria and jaundice[240, 243, 272]. It is applied as drops to the ears to rlieve earache[272]. A paste made from the bark is used as a poultice on cuts, wounds and burns[272]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Betula species for infections of the urinary tract, kidney and bladder stones, rheumatism (see [302] for critics of commission E).

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Incense  Paper  Waterproofing  Wood

A paper is made from the inner bark[46, 51, 61]. The outer bark can be carefully peeled off the tree (this does not harm the tree) and used as a paper[158]. The outer bark can also be used as a waterproofing and for roofing houses[51, 146, 272]. The bark is sometimes used as an incense[272]. Wood - tough, even grained, moderately hard, elastic. Used for construction[51, 146, 158, 272].

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Specimen. 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]. Plants are showing good wind-resistance on our Cornish trial ground[K]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[50]. A good plant to grow near the compost heap, aiding the fermentation process[20]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. Special Features: Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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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 :

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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.

 

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Author

D.Don.

Botanical References

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