Snow Queen

Betula utilis

Snow Queen is the most popular of the Himalayan birches, with their distinctive bright white bark. The main stem of Snow Queen turns pure white even from a young age.

The leaves provide dappled shade in the summer, and turn yellow in the autumn.

The tree grows with a pleasing upright form.

Snow Queen 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.

11-year bare-root tree £45.00
Very large size (4m-7m after 10 years)
22-year pot-grown tree £77.00
Grown for us by Frank P Matthews nursery
In a 12L pot
Very large size (4m-7m after 10 years)

Pre-order now for delivery in September 2025

How to grow

When planting multi-stem birch trees it is a good idea to support the young stems with a cane.

If you purchase a bare-root Snow Queen (not a container-grown one) you can also encourage it to become multi-stemmed by topping it at around 40cm - 50cm from the ground - this will encourage the tree to send out new shoots from near the bottom of the stem. In the second year after doing this select 3-5 of the strongest shoots to grow on, and remove the rest.

Snow Queen characteristics

Gardening skillBeginner
Attractive featuresAttractive barkAutumn foliage colour
Growth habitUpright-spreading / Vase
Height after 10 years3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
SunlightPrefers full sunSome shade
PruningDo not prune
Site conditionsOccasional floodingOccasional drought
Leaf colourGreen
Leaf colour - autumnYellow
BarkWhite
Annual cycleDeciduous

This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 22-Jan-2023.

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Snow Queen