Birch - Young’s Weeping Birch

Young’s Weeping Birch

Botanical name :Betula pendula ‘youngii’

Irish Name:Beithe

Description:Youngs weeping birch is a small dome shaped deciduous tree. It has elegant weeping branches with bright green leaves in Summer, which turn yellow in Autumn. In spring the tree is covered with attractive yellow/brown catkins. The birch’s bark is a lovely silvery colour all year round. This is a great tree for small gardens.

History and folklore:The birch’s seeds germinate easily in open sites so they can colonize cut away bogs or any open space easily. The birch was ranked as commoner of the wood in the Bretha Comaithchesa- the laws of the neighbourhood. Some towns in Ireland named after the Birch are Glenbeigh in Co.Kerry and Currabeha in Co.Cork. Beith, which is the Irish for birch is the name for B in the Ogham alphabet. There is a lot of folklore associated with the birch tree Cribs for babies were made from birch wood to offer protection from all things evil. Birch is said to be disliked by the fairies.
Uses:Birch twigs which were tied to a pole with some string were used to make garden brooms. These brooms are the type used by witches in fairy tales. Birch bark was used to tan leather. Native Americans used the waterproof bark to make canoes and clothes. Today the birch timber is most often used to make plywood. It can be turned and made into things like small cooking implements and it’s great for firewood.

Planting information:The weeping Birch tree likes any good garden soil. Ideal for small gardens.

Approximate height when delivered:6ft – 1.8m

Mature height and spread:Mature height in 20 years is 3m x 3m spread

Price:€75.00/£67.40