Downy Birch is a lovely tree and often gets mixed up with Silver Birch. Both have striking white bark and triangular shaped leaves. There are a few differences thankfully which make it a bit easier to figure out which one is which! Downy Birch is usually more upright and doesn't have the drooping branches. Also, the base of the leaves are more rounded and there are tiny hairs on the leaf stalks.
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Close up Downy Birch leaves
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Leaf damage on the edges, unsure of what critter it was
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The male flowers are long catkins which are yellow / brown and in bloom between April to May usually
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The female flowers are shorter catkins and start off green but by Autumn turn a a dark crimson colour
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On some trees the white bark peels off in curls and reveals the dark brown underneath
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Close up of the white bark of Downy Birch
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A good example of the brown exposed bark
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Overview of a mature Downy Birch in Exeter city centre
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Close up of a Downy Birch tree
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A young Downy Birch along Cowick street
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