Chinese red-barked birch Fascination Beautiful throughout the year, Betula albosinensis Fascination is a vigorous, medium-sized deciduous tree with ascending branches and an open, pyramidal crown, particularly good when planted in groups, but also lovely as a specimen. The shining, deep copper-orange bark slowly turns shades of white and pink, and peels to reveal striated, maroon-orange under-bark. The pointed, ovate leaves are larger than that of most Chinese red-barked birch, and a darker green, turning yellow in autumn. The yellow male catkins are the longest of any birch, over 4”/10cm, emerging with the leaves, and invaluable for wild-life. Chinese red-barked birch Fascination holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Site: Tolerates exposureSoil: Any reasonably well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeHardiness: Fully hardyHeight: 40’ (12m) Spread: 26’ (8m) in 20 years