Betula utilis
| Betula utilis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 66' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Betula utilis (common name: indian paper birch)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[1][2][3][4]. Only just cover the seed and place the pot in a sunny position[1][2][4]. Spring sown seed should be surface sown in a sunny position in a cold frame[3][4]. If the germination is poor, raising the temperature by covering the seed with glass can help[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
If you have sufficient seed, it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed, either as soon as it is ripe or in the early spring - do not cover the spring sown seed. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for 2 years before planting them out into their permanent positions in the winter[1][2][3][4].
Cultivation: Succeeds in a well-drained loamy soil in a sheltered position[5][6]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes wet soils[6]. Shade tolerant[6]. Plants are showing good wind-resistance on our Cornish trial ground[K].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[7].
A good plant to grow near the compost heap, aiding the fermentation process[8].
Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[6].
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas to S.W. China.
Habitat: Forests at the upper height limit of tree growth[9], rarely found below 3000 metres[10]. Moist hillsides at elevations of 2000 - 4000 metres in Nepal[11].
Medicinal: An infusion of the bark is antiseptic and carminative[12][13][11]. It has been used in the treatment of hysteria and jaundice[12][13][11]. It is applied as drops to the ears to rlieve earache[11]. A paste made from the bark is used as a poultice on cuts, wounds and burns[11].
Usage: A paper is made from the inner bark[14][9][15]. The outer bark can be carefully peeled off the tree (this does not harm the tree) and used as a paper[16].
The outer bark can also be used as a waterproofing and for roofing houses[9][10][11].
The bark is sometimes used as an incense[11].
Wood - tough, even grained, moderately hard, elastic. Used for construction[9][10][16][11].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall
Flower Type: Monoecious
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Also Known As: B. bhojpattra.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Gamble, James. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1972.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Manandhar, N. Medicinal Plants of Nepal Himalaya. Department of Medicinal Plants, 1993.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Gupta, Basant. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press, 1945.