Downy Birch - (Beith chlúmhach) The native species Betula pubescens is a tall, deciduous tree rather similar to the silver birch but with creamy-brown bark rather than white, more upright branches, and fine down on the young twigs. It also prefers damper environments, being found on bogs, and tolerates shadier conditions. Narrowly conical habit. Long greenish-brown male catkins appear as the tree comes into leaf; the female flowers are upright, releasing small winged seeds in autumn. The leaves are triangular and serrated, often downy underneath, light green, turning orange-yellow in autumn. The downy birch often hybridises with the silver birch. Site: Tolerates exposureSoil: Any reasonably well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeSeason of Interest: Spring, summer, autumn, winterHardiness: Fully hardyHeight: up to 65ft (20m)  Spread: 32ft (10m) (Often smaller in a garden setting)