Japanese White Birch

Similar to European Birch, but slightly narrower with more upright branches and chalky white bark. Native to Japan and Siberia, but propagated from an isolated Wisconsin seed source showing resistance to the bronze birch borer.

Scientific Name:: Betula platyphylla japonica 'Whitespire'
Mature Height:: 30' - 40'

Mature Spread:: 15 - 25'
Leaves:: Green, glossy leaves to 3" long, turn yellow in fall.
Flowers:: Inconspicuous.
Fruit:: Small cone like fruit hangs on branches through the winter.
Root System:: No large surface roots.
Growth Rate:: Fast.
Cultural Notes:: Tolerates wet soils. Needs regular deep watering. Not drought tolerant.
Sacramento Specimen:: 3715 Carlson Drive, 95819 (3 trees planted 2/97)

Minimum Planting Distances

from SMUD pad mounted equipment (such as a transformer mounted on a concrete pad): 8 feet
from a building foundation: 10 feet
from walks and driveways: 6 feet
from an air conditioner: 6 feet
from a fence: 6 feet
from a utility offset (such as an underground line, pipe or cable): 6 feet
from a utility overhead (such as an overhead power line): 20 feet
from a swimming pool: 12 feet
from a septic system: 20 feet
between trees*: 15 feet

* To calculate the planting distance between different size trees, add the distances between each species in the column and divide answer in half. Example: the distance between a Red Maple (large tree) and Amur Maple (small tree) is calculated: 25 feet + 15 feet = 40 feet ÷ 2 = 20 feet. The distance between these two different size trees should be 20 feet.