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Himalayan Birch Flower Wikimedia Commons
Betulaceae

Himalayan Birch Flower

Betula utilis

Purity of the mountain heights and the written word.

Family
Betulaceae
Genus
Betula
Native to
Himalayas, Central Asia
Bloom season
Spring
Type
deciduous tree
Height
600–2000 cm
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral
Water
moderate
Hardiness
4–7
Lifespan
perennial; 80–140 years

Did you know

  • The species name 'utilis' means useful — the paper-thin bark was used for centuries to write Sanskrit manuscripts.
  • Some of the earliest surviving Buddhist texts were written on strips of Himalayan birch bark.
  • The brilliant white peeling bark of var. jacquemontii is one of the most striking features of any ornamental tree.
  • Male catkins dangle 10–12 cm long, releasing clouds of wind-borne pollen before leaves fully emerge.
  • It grows at higher elevations than almost any other tree, reaching the treeline at 4,500 m in the Himalayas.

Color meanings

0

purification

1

new beginnings

2

knowledge

Uses

  • ornamental bark tree
  • historical writing material
  • firewood
  • park and garden specimen