Black birch

A change from the traditional silver birch, the black birch makes a striking specimen plant for medium-sized gardens, although it isn't as the name suggests black. Its red-brown bark peels attractively in papery sheets creating a bold effect during the winter months that will rival any flowering plant at this time. It is an exceptionally beautiful, fast-growing specimen tree, even more impressive when several are planted close together to make a small clump, it stands out quite startlingly against a foil of dark green woodland or evergreen hedging. In autumn the foliage is vivid yellow.

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