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Betula utilis Darkness

• Height 10 years: 3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
• Growth habit: Upright
• Bark: Striated - brown

Darkness is an attractive medium-sized birch tree which features shiny dark copper bark, speckled with white.

'Darkness' is a form of Betula utilis, and was collected from the Kingdom of Bhutan in the eastern Himalayas. It is sometimes known as 'Dark-Ness', after Ness Gardens in north-west England, where it was planted in 1984. It appears closely related to the Chinese red birch (Betula albo-sinensis) which also features peeling bark.

What will it look like?

Illustrative example of a pot-grown tree of this variety as supplied. (Approx. girth: 6/8). Trees should reach their mature height after about 10 or more years.

Leaves may not be present during winter, and we may prune some shoots to fit the delivery carton. Size may vary during the season and between batches. The container (if supplied) is only used for transporting the tree, which should then be planted out in the garden or in a much larger patio planter (not all species are suitable for patio planting).

How to grow

Darkness does best in good soils in a sunny location, but will tolerate periods of drought or flooding.

Similar varieties

• 
  Betula albosinensis
  China Ruby
  A slow-growing form of the Chinese red birch, featuring peeling copper-coloured bark and long catkins.