Silver Birch is a very common tree in the South West of England and spreads very easily. In some cases it can be a nuisance such as the RSPB Aylesbeare Common reserve as it can quickly cover heatlhand. But other than it's quick ability to spread it is a very showy tree. It is often confused with the Downy Birch but there are few tell tale signs that can help identify it. The Silver Birch is usually less upright than Downy Birch. Also, the branches are more drooping and the base of the leaves are more sharply angled. The final thing to add is that the leaf stems are hairless and in some cases warty, whereas with Downy Birch they have tiny little hairs. In Exeter you are more likely to see Silver Birch than Downy Birch.
Silver Birch is more common in the South of the UK and Downy Birch is more common in the North of the UK. In Exeter there are many Silver Birch trees and they do stand out in the landscape. In the centre of Exeter city there is a large Silver Birch just outside Tesco on the High street. They are often planted in parks and public open spaces and sometimes in gardens. Below are some useful links:
Silver Birch leaves on a gentle breeze
Close up of the leaves. Very similar to Downy Birch
 Triangular in shape but typically more angled at the base than Downy Birch leaves. Leaf stalks are hairless on silver birch. So if you are unsure if it's a Downy or Silver Birch carefully rub the leaf stalks and if it's slightly hairy it will be a Downy Birch.
Drooping branches of the Silver Birch
Silver Birch sapling amongst other trees and shrubs
Silver Birch is monoecious, meaning both male and female flowers (catkins) are found on the same tree, from April to May. The male catkins are long and yellow-brown in colour. They hang in groups of two to four at the tips of shoots and are also known as  lambs' tails. Female catkins are smaller, short, bright green and erect.
Female catkins of the Silver Birch
More female catkins. I missed the male ones so will have to wait until next year
Silver birch is a popular garden tree and often hybridises with our other native birch, the Downy Birch. The bark is much the same, but is typically more 'papery' than Downy Birch. A substance called betulin is what helps make the bark white.
A close up of the Silver Birch bark in a busy area. The white has been replaced by the pollutants of the city
Overview of a mature Silver Birch in Exeter city centre
Another mature Silver Birch. This one was by Jewson, Exeter
An example of how shallow the roots can be
  • Silver birch is a striking, medium-sized deciduous tree native throughout the UK and Europe
  • It is also known as common birch, birk tree, European white birch, lady birch, lady of the woods, warty birch and weeping birch
  • Silver birch can be used to improve soil quality for other plants to grow
  • Mature trees can reach 30 metres in height, forming a light canopy with elegant, drooping branches
  • Birch woods (which may include downy or silver birch, or both) have a light, open canopy, providing the perfect conditions for grasses, mosses, wood anemone, bluebells, wood sorrel and violets to grow
  •  Tolerant of a range of temperatures, it grows as far south as Spain and as far north as Lapland
  • Silver birch wood is of little commercial value in the UK because the trees do not grow as large as they do in other parts of Europe
  • Woodpeckers and other hole-nesting birds often nest in the trunk, while the seeds are eaten by siskins and other small birds
  • Birch tree can live from 30 to 200 years, depending on the species, quality of the soil and climate
  • The leaves are triangular in shape but more angled at the base than Downy Birch leaves
  • The leaf stalks are hairless, as opposed to downy on Downy Birch
  • Silver Birch is monoecious, meaning both male and female flowers (catkins) are found on the same tree, from April to May
  • Male catkins are long and yellow-brown in colour, and sometimes called lambs' tails
  • After successful pollination (by wind), female catkins thicken and change colour to a dark crimson
  • It produces fruit called "samara" which can release around 1 million seeds each year per tree!
  • Pollen of the birch tree is responsible for 15 to 20% cases of hay fever in northern hemisphere
  • Birch is known as pioneer species because it easily populates habitats destroyed by fire
  • Birch has shallow root system which can damage sidewalks and roads in urban areas
  • Wood of birch tree is highly flammable. It can catch a fire even when it is wet and is used as high-quality firewood
  • Substances isolated from different parts of birch are used in cosmetic industry for the production of soaps and shampoos
  • Bark contains substances such as betulin and betulinic acid that are used in the pharmaceutical industry
  • Leaves of birch are used in the preparation of tea in Finland
  • Birch sap is used in the manufacture of wine and beer in the northern Europe, Russia and China
  • It can also serve as a substitute for sugar
  • Birch syrup, made of birch sap, is used like a dressing for the pancakes
  • Birch wood is tough and heavy, making it suitable for making furniture, handles and toys
  •  It was used to make bobbins, spools and reels for the Lancashire cotton industry
  • The bark is used for tanning leather
  • In early Celtic mythology, the birch symbolised renewal and purification
  • Bundles of birch twigs were used to drive out the spirits of the old year
  • It is also used as a symbol of love and fertility
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
(unranked):Angiosperms
(unranked):Eudicots
(unranked):Rosids
Order:Fagales
Family:Betulaceae
Genus:Betula
Subgenus:Betula
Species:B. pendula
Binomial name
Betula pendula
If there is anything out of place or wrong please contact me. Equally if there is anything you wish to add please let me know. The more information we have about Silver Birch the better. Many thanks!