Betula pendula (Silver Birch)

LOCATION: BOGGART HOLE CLOUGH, MANCHESTER

SILVER BIRCH IS A MEDIUM SIZED DECIDUOUS TREE AND IS NATIVE IN EUROPE. IT COMES FROM THE BETUACEAE FAMILY WHICH CONSISTS OF ABOUT 40 SPECIES ACROSS THE WHOLE OF NORTHERN HEMISPHERE. BIRCH PROVIDES A HARD TIMBER WHICH IS THEN USED AS A PLYWOOD AND OCCASIONALLY AS A PAPER PULP. THIS PARTICULAR SPECIES WAS FOUND IN A TREE GROUPING OF SILVER BIRCHES WHERE THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND WAS COVERED WITH RUBUS FRUTICOSUS (BLACKBERRY). IT'S VERY EASY TO RECOGNISE THE SILVER BIRCH EVEN WHEN IT ALREADY LOST ITS LEAVES, AS IT IS COVERED WITH A VERY UNUSUAL BARK. THE OLDER TREES HAVE THICK BARK AND ARE DEEPLY FISSURED, ESPECIALLY NEAR THE BOLE WHERE THE BARK BREAKS INTO RECTANGULAR SHAPES, HIGHER UP HOWEVER, THE BARK HAS A SILVERY-WHITE COLOUR WITH DARK CRACKS.