Betula pendula.

Moving on now to the latter - a very elegant and popular tree - the silver birch. I am very excited at the thought of planting these seeds, and wonder where I should put them.

Betula pendula, silver birch.
(Deciduous tree or shrub.)

Planting: Winter.
Flowering: Spring.
Aspect: Full sun or part shade.
Hardiness: Hardy.

Notes: Another pioneer species, silver birch trees allow other flora & fauna to arrive - as close a thing to an ent, a shepherd of the forest, as can be believed. According to Britain's Forestry Commission, the chaffinch, tree pipit, willow warbler, and robin are all at home in birch woodlands- and you may even find a woodcock, woodpecker, redpoll, or nightingale.