Silver Birches are immediately recognised by their silvery white bark, sometimes peeled and split in larger trees. The light fluttering foliage of delicate pale green and almost triangular leaves makes them attractive trees in any ornamental garden. The Silver Birch has a drooping branch form and the smallest twigs and stems are smooth, or covered with tiny pale warts.

There are two species of birch growing in the Horniman Gardens. This one, the silver or pendulous birch, Betula pendula, has more triangular and more jaggedly toothed leaves than the other form, Betula pubescens.

Birches are small trees, reaching only 20 or 25 m.

Because birch trees are small the timber has never been much valued in this country, being used for simple products like brooms, handles and firewood. Birch bark is waterproof enough to be used in simple woodland shelters. Small twigs were once made into whisks for beating sauces or for ‘birching’ (spanking) unruly schoolchildren.

The graceful form of the tree has inspired many poets over the centuries.

Tree tag number 2722.