Fascination

'Fascination' is one of the more upright birch varieties, making it a good choice for smaller gardens.

The main feature of 'Fascination' is the striking copper-orange bark, which peels to reveal white-pink layers underneath.

'Fascination' also has perhaps the longest catkins of any birch tree.

Fascination birch trees for sale

All our pot-grown trees are grown for us to our specification by the Frank P Matthews nursery.

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

• 2-year pot-grown tree £78.00

  
  Grown for us by Frank P Matthews nursery
  In a 12L pot
  Very large size (4m-7m after 10 years)
  

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How to grow

'Fascination' is a vigorous birch, likely to reach 5m - 6m after 10 years.

History

'Fascination' is usually now considered to belong to the species Betula albosinensis, the Chinese Red Birch - and its coppery peeling bark is certainly similar to others of that species. However when it was discovered in the 1970s in a batch of trees at a Dutch nursery it was originally placed in the Himalayan birches (Betula utilis).

Fascination characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• AwardsRHS AGM (current) - 2012
• Attractive featuresAttractive tree / plantAttractive barkWinter colour
• Growth habitUpright-spreading / Vase
• Height after 10 years3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
• SunlightPrefers full sun
• PruningDo not prune
• Growth rateAverage
• Site conditionsOccasional floodingOccasional drought
• Flowering monthFebruary
• Leaf colourGreen
• BarkBrown - light
• Country of originNetherlands
• Annual cycleDeciduous

Similar varieties

• Betula utilis jacquemontii
  Trinity College
  Trinity College is another of the more upright compact birch varieties.

What will it look like?

Illustrative example of a pot-grown tree of this variety as supplied. Approximate girth: 6/8cm. We try to keep all pot-grown trees down to about 1.5m as supplied, but some may be larger. Trees should reach their mature height after about 10 or more years.