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Betula ermanii Mount Zao Purple - Erman's Birch

Betula ermanii Mount Zao Purple
Erman's Birch, Gold Birch

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Betula ermanii, commonly known as Erman's Birch, is a large tree with spreading and naturally elegant branches. Its main attraction is its smooth, cream-white bark with pinkish hues, which peels off in thin, yellowish-white flakes. The bright green, deciduous foliage takes on a beautiful golden hue in autumn. This easy-to-grow tree can be planted in moist soil, either as a standalone specimen on a lawn or in front of a large grouping of deciduous or evergreen trees, in full sunlight.
Flower size
2 cm
Height at maturity
15 m
Spread at maturity
10 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time January to March, October to December
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Flowering time April
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Description

Betula ermanii 'Mount Zao Purple' is a very rare Japanese variety, sought after for its original purple-chocolate bark, covered with cream-orange stripes that exfoliate and widely striped with prominent horizontal cream lenticels! It forms a medium-sized deciduous tree with a slender, upright, branching silhouette often from the base, highlighting its highly marbled bark. The medium green deciduous foliage turns to rich orange tones in autumn before falling. This hardy tree grows in sunny well-drained soils but prefers moist soils. Plant it isolated on a lawn or in front of a large grove or curtain of dark or even bluish foliage trees to bring out the vibrant colours of its bark.

 

The Erman Birch, commonly known as the Erman Birch, is a deciduous tree native to mixed forests in Northeast Asia. The habit of this species, which reaches up to 25 m in height in its natural habitat, is columnar to oval, rounding with age. The 'Mount Zao Purple' variety was obtained from seeds collected by Kenneth Ashburner on Mount Zao, north of Honshu, Japan.

In our climate, the Erman Birch 'Mount Zao Purple' will reach approximately 15 m high and spread over 10 m after many years. In 20 years, it will only reach about 8 m high and 4 m wide. Its semi-open crown consists of loose branches covered with purple bark with chocolate tones. Its rather upright and oval shape is spreading and rounding with age. The bark is horizontally streaked with long cream lenticel bands and exfoliates in long orange cream flakes. Its ovate to triangular, 4 to 10 cm long, slightly toothed leaves are medium green. They bud early in spring and turn to deep orange early in autumn. The male and female inflorescences appear at the same time as the leaves in the form of pendulous yellow-green catkins. The flowers are very nectar-rich. The root system of this tree is quite shallow, dense, and composed of secondary roots bearing numerous rootlets. It is better to keep this beautiful birch away from the house, as strong winds could potentially uproot it, especially when it is in full leaf and the soil is very moist.

 

Betula ermanii 'Mount Zao Purple' is a very tolerant species in terms of soil, as long as it is not too dry. It does not tolerate coastal winds well. Its main attraction is its bark, but its moderate growth and slow growth are real assets for medium-sized gardens. However, it will stand out particularly well in winter! It can be highlighted isolated in the middle of a lawn, where one can enjoy its light shade. The Erman Birch also lends itself to superb winter compositions with other remarkable plants in winter, such as multicoloured bark Cornus or fragrant winter-flowering Hamamelis. It also allows provides contrasting colour combinations, for example when paired with black Ophiopogon, certain purple Hellebores, or the foliage of 'Black Lace' Elderberry in summer. Its autumn foliage will blend well with Nyssa sylvatica in acidic and moist soil, with deciduous Viburnums (Viburnum lantana, V. opulus, and their cultivars...) or Parrotia persica in drier, slightly chalky soil. It should be given a sunny location or partial shade to allow for easier growth.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 15 m
Spread at maturity 10 m
Habit conical, pyramidal
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour yellow
Flowering time April
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 2 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Flowering description Pendulous and discreet catkins.

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Betula

Species

ermanii

Cultivar

Mount Zao Purple

Family

Betulaceae

Other common names

Erman's Birch, Gold Birch

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference1004031

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Planting and care

Easy to grow in not too dry soil, even poor, slightly chalky or even clayey, the Erman's birch requires little maintenance, except for regular watering in case of prolonged drought. It is better planted in moist, humus-rich, fertile, not waterlogged soil to obtain beautiful foliage colourations, but it will also thrive in neutral to slightly chalky soil, in full sun or, at a pinch, in partial shade. Pruning is not necessary, and the plant is not very susceptible to diseases or parasites.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time January to March, October to December

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Back of border, Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Ordinary soil, deep, well-prepared.

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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