Chinese Red-Barked Birch BETULA ALBO-FASCINATION
Description & features
British Grown - The British Grown logo denotes plants and trees that have been both propagated and grown in the UK. Read more
Select plant type
Bare root guideSize and quantity
All prices include VAT
All prices include VAT
All prices include VAT
All prices include VAT

British Grown - The British Grown logo denotes plants and trees that have been both propagated and grown in the UK. Read more
Product description
BETULA ALBOSINENSIS FASCINATION - Chinese Red Barked Birch Fascination
Characteristics
A medium sized variety of birch with wonderfully interesting bark. This elegant birch does not grow as tall as the native birch (Betula Pendula) ultimately reaching 15m (50ft) rather than 25m (80ft) or more. Its gleaming orange copper bark initially peels in tissue thin layers to reveal varying shades of pink and cream. When mature this pink to cream under bark turns to become bright white. The branches are upwardly ascending forming an oval crown on maturity. It differs from Betula albosinensis in that the leaves are a darker green and the catkins are exceptionally long.
Where to Grow
A hardy tree tolerant of most soil conditions although will struggle if waterlogged. It would prefer a sunny position, ideal for the garden, parkland or in an avenue.
Did you know?
It was originally classified as a clone of Betula utilis rather than albosinensis and the RHS still has it classified under both names.
Features
- Mature height
- Medium - 10-15 metres
- Spread
- 5-10 metres
- Shape / habit
- Pyramidal
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Soil type
- All soil types
- Sun levels
- Full sun
- Partial shade
- Difficulty / hard to grow
- Easy
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Deciduous
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Winter
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn colour
- Yellow
- Leaf
- Green
- Foliage
- Fine/Light leaf
- Small leaves
- Orange
- White
- Yes
- Uses
- Screening
- Parkland Tree
- Garden Tree
- City/Urban Sites
Features
- Mature height
- Medium - 10-15 metres
- Spread
- 5-10 metres
- Shape / habit
- Pyramidal
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Soil type
- All soil types
- Sun levels
- Full sun
- Partial shade
- Difficulty / hard to grow
- Easy
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Deciduous
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Winter
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn colour
- Yellow
- Leaf
- Green
- Foliage
- Fine/Light leaf
- Small leaves
- Orange
- White
- Yes
- Uses
- Screening
- Parkland Tree
- Garden Tree
- City/Urban Sites
Aftercare
Pruning Betula Albo Fascination
Betula Albo Fascination is medium sized tree that requires no routine pruning. You may wish to train as a standard and remove low lateral shoots. If planting in a cluster, remove low stems that are congested.
To display the characteristic bark, remove low stems from the trunk when they are young. This will keep branch scars small.
When should I prune? Light prune during the autumn, through to mid-winter.
For the continued healthy growth of your trees, shrubs or hedging it is vital that you follow the advice below.
Watering
The main reason that plants die within 12 months of having been planted is lack of water. It is essential throughout the spring and summer, to give a heavy enough watering to enable the water to penetrate right down to the deepest root level of the tree. In hot dry spells give the equivalent of 2 bucketfuls every three days.
Weed Control
One of the most common causes of lack of water is competition from grass. When trees are first establishing, the grass roots would be at the same level as the tree roots and are far more efficient at taking up water and thus choke the tree. It is vital for 3 years after planting that your tree or hedge has a circle or strip one metre wide completely free of grass. The way to eliminate grass in order of effectiveness is:
- Spray off the grass with a glyphosate based weed killer such as Roundup. Apply each year for the first 3 years. It is best applied when the tree is dormant as it is absorbed through green leaves and kills the plant off at the roots.
- Firmly fit a mulch mat around the base of the tree by tucking the edges into the soil and put a thick layer of bark mulch on top of this. This can be done after the initial spraying with glyphosate and should avoid the need for further spraying.
Mowing or strimming is NOT an answer to the problem. Each time you mow, the grass will grow back more vigorously and strimming invariably leads to lacerated trunks.
Staking
If trees are not correctly secured they will rock in the planting pit. Roots not firmly in contact with the soil are unable to take up moisture and nutrients, resulting in die back or death of the tree. Check, particularly after windy weather, that stakes are still solidly in the ground keeping the base of the trunk firm. The purpose of the stakes is to anchor the roots. Flexing in the wind, higher up the trunk, is not necessarily a problem if the roots are firm.
Bellow is list of the correct system to use to secure your trees.
- 40/60, 60/80, 80/100 whips - Unless rabbit/deer problem no need to stake.
- 100/125, 125/150 1.2m Cane and Easi tie.
- 150/175 1.2m square stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
- 175/250, 6/8, 8/10 15L 1.65 Tree stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
- All larger trees. 2 x 1.65 Tree stake and cross rail with 38mm cushion spacer and 1m of 38mm strapping.
Ties
Always use our recommended tree ties or strapping. These are designed and manufactured with the correct amount of give to hold the tree firm without strangling it. They should be checked at the end of each growing season for adjustment as the trunk thickens. Non proprietary materials such as baler twine will cut into the bark and should not be used.
Protection from Animal Damage
Rabbits, deer, sheep, cattle and horses can all potentially damage trees. Ask us for advice on the most appropriate guards for your trees or hedge. Squirrels are also a terrible pest when trees get to about 20ft tall but there is no protection available.
By Simeon Potter on 29/04/2016
Hi,
Can this tree BETULA ALBOSINENSIS FASCINATION - Chinese Red Barked Birch Fascination be planted in May, I’m desperate to get a mature tree in my garden?
By Simon on 18/05/2016
Hello Simeon,
Yes, you can plant container-grown trees at any time of year.
By Jane Hopkinson on 21/11/2019
Hi There,
I’d love to buy a small Chinese red bark birch tree as a gift but would need to keep it in a pot as there’s not enough ground space in our garden to plant it. Do you think this would be possible?
Thanks for your help,
Jane
By Simon on 05/12/2019
Hello Jane,
While it is possible to keep birches in a pot for a little while, they do need a lot of care in terms of water and feeding. But in the long run they would be a lot better in the ground. Birches kept in pots for too long tend to shed a lot of lower branches and can end up very spindly. I hope this helps.