Betula pubescens aka Common White Birch

Betula pubescens, also known as downy birch, moor birch, white birch, European white birch, or hairy birch, is a deciduous tree native to northern Europe and northern Asia. It is similar to the silver birch but grows in wetter areas with heavier soils and poorer drainage. This tree can reach heights of up to 20 meters and has slender, conical shape. Its bark is white and peeling, remaining white at the base. The leaves are mid-green and slightly rounded to diamond-shaped, turning yellow in autumn. In early spring, it produces yellow-brown catkins. Betula pubescens is a fast-growing species that is often replaced by taller, longer-lived trees as a pioneer species. It can tolerate various soil types and pH levels but does not thrive in shade or maritime exposure. The tree has various uses, including turnery, plywood, furniture, and wood flooring. Its inner bark is edible and has been used in bread-making during times of famine. The rising sap in spring can be used to make refreshing drinks, wines, ales, and liqueurs. Betula pubescens is also associated with many fungi, some of which cause birch dieback disease. It attracts wildlife and is pollinated by wind. Its range extends from Newfoundland and Iceland to central Europe and Asia, with its northernmost limit being the Arctic. In subarctic regions, it takes on a contorted form and is known as arctic downy birch or mountain birch. This variety is native to Iceland and Greenland, where it forms woodland.