This is one of the commonest trees here on the sandy soils of North Cheshire. The bark is obviously silvery on older trees but the characteristics to look for distinguishing it from B. pubescens (Downy Birch) is that the mature twigs are hairless and covered in warts which are resin glands. Young trees or new growth however are often hairy and the tree is easily therefore confused with B. pubescens.

Apart from the very north coast of Scotland this tree is common all over Great Britain. Although common in Ireland too, it is not quite so ubiquitous as on the mainland.

Helsby, Cheshire 7th May 2005

Added on 13th October 2005, updated 3rd November 2008, updated 5th March 2010, updated 6th December 2012