Betula alnoides aka Indian Birch

Betula alnoides is a fast-growing, deciduous tree in the birch family, Betulaceae. Its native range runs from the Himalaya to southern China and Indochina. It grows in warm temperate and subtropical regions. It also occurs in tropical uplands, such as northern Vietnam. Wild trees grow in forests, ravines, and along streams. They also grow on upper slopes and ridges.

Height reports differ across the sources. Useful Tropical Plants lists 82 feet [25 metres], with trees reaching 98 feet [30 metres]. Plants For A Future gives a greater height of 131 feet [40 metres]. These records do not establish a typical garden size. The crown is open, and the branches droop a little. The trunk is straight and round in cross-section. It can reach about 2 feet [0.6 metres] across. The tree loses its leaves each year.

Plants For A Future records flowers in April and ripe seeds in September. Each tree bears both male and female flowers. Wind carries the pollen between flowers. The species crosses freely with other birches. It can form part of a woodland garden canopy. Its height makes it a tree for sites with ample room. Its open crown gives it a less dense form.

A sheltered site with moist, freely draining loam suits this tree. It also grows in heavy clay and tolerates sandy soil. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline ground. It grows in sun or partial shade, but dislikes wet soil. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 7–10. The same source warns that outdoor success in Britain varies. Trees from some seed origins may withstand more cold than others. Honey fungus is a known concern for this species.

People gather the tree from the wild for wood and medicine. Its strong, durable wood serves in small building projects. The thin outer bark provides a paper material. Bark juice also has a use in wood decoration. The inner bark is edible after drying and grinding. People mix the powder with flour for bread or cakes. This use is chiefly a food source during shortages. Records also describe traditional treatments for snakebite and dislocated bones. Those reports do not establish that such treatments work. Both plant-use sources list no known hazards; this does not prove safety in every use.