Betula utilis
Himalayan birch · also Bhojpatra, Himalayan silver birch, Indian paper birch
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Betula utilis is a deciduous tree native to the Himalayas, known for its distinctive white, paper-like bark. It forms a pyramid-like shape with dark green foliage that turns bright yellow in fall. Highly valued as an ornamental, it requires ample moisture and is sensitive to hot, humid conditions, making site selection important in urban planting.
Where it grows
Trees in each city's inventory, with the share of that city's named trees this species accounts for.
- 6,9230.61%—1.9 in
- 1,3290.47%27 yr5.9 in
- 3470.15%—6.3 in
- 810.02%22 yr3.9 in
- 500.10%15 yr2.4 in
- 460.01%—4.5 in
- 370.02%—9.5 in
- 240.01%—2.6 in
- 90.00%1.4 yr2.0 in
- 20.00%—5.2 in
- 10.00%——
Traits
- Form
- Conifer
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Mature height
- 50–70 ft
- Canopy spread
- 30 ft
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Drought tolerance
- Low
- Wildlife value
- Moderate
Trunk diameters across every city: median 2.3 in, mean 2.8 in, 90th percentile 5.9 in. Measured at breast height, as published by each inventory.
Native range
Terrestrial ecoregions where this species is native. Trees in the dataset mostly stand well outside it.
Temperate Conifer Forests
- Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests
- East Afghan montane conifer forests
Temperate Broadleaf & Mixed Forests
- Western Himalayan broadleaf forests
Other Betula in the catalogue
20 of the top 2,000 species are in this genus.
