Birch: nurse and provider

There are two species of birch native to Ireland, downy (Beith chlúmhach, Betula pubescence) and silver (Beith gheal, Betula pendula). The most common is the downy, which, like silver birch, is a delicate tree with fine branches and small leaves. In springtime the flowers, catkins, appear and remain on the tree and in autumn contain the mature seed.

Birch is a pioneer species and will grow on poor soils but it likes sunny positions. It can tolerate higher elevations than any of our native trees. Birch is very good at colonising disturbed ground and is a very useful ‘nurse' species which helps more tender species to grow. While it establishes itself easily from seed, trying to artificially establish birch with bare-rooted plants is difficult. It is a soil improver and the leaf litter nourishes the soil and prepares it for other forest trees such as oak and pine, which, if left to nature, generally replace it over time. This was how our forest cover developed after the Ice-age.

Birch woods occur widely, especially on marginal soils. It is a light-demanding tree and is often found on the margins of woods and beside rivers. Birch is used frequently as an “ornament” in town gardens as it does not grow too large. Its small seeds are prized by birds. Birch wood is not durable but is used in the Nordic countries for making quality paper, and also for plywood. Birch twigs tied together make an excellent broom for sweeping garden paths. There are many placenames called after birch in the Irish format beith: Ballybay in Co Monaghan, Beal Átha Beithe (mouth of the ford of the birch) and Glenbeigh, Co Kerry, Gleann Beithe, (valley of the birch). The tallest birch tree in Ireland is 25 metres.  More information at www.treecouncil.ie