National Betula Collection

The national collection of Betula (birch).

Bluebells and birch trees at Wakehurst

Location: Bethlehem Wood (native oak and ash), adjacent to Coates Wood

Taxa: 103  Accessions: 825  Wild-sourced: 56%

Geographic strengths: USA, China, Japan, South Korea and Nepal.

Notable specimens: The collection has over 40 IUCN threatened taxa, including the Critically Endangered Betula chichibuensis (young seedlings of this species are currently being grown at Wakehurst Nursery); the Endangered B. megrelica; and B. pubescens var. litwinowii and B. tianschanica, both of which are listed as data deficient