This tree, with its fuzzy leaf stalks, shoots and twigs, grows further north than any other broadleaf species.

Size- Mature trees can reach 30m in height, forming a light canopy with elegant, drooping branches. Downy birch is more upright than silver birch and the bark is browner in colour with more obvious horizontal grooves and lacking the papery quality of the silver birch.

Where to find it-Downy birch tends to grow on damper soils than silver birch and can even tolerate peat bogs and clay. It often hybridises with our other native Birch, the Silver Birch, It is also tolerant to a range of temperatures.

Value to wildlife- Birch woods have a light, open canopy, providing the perfect conditions for grasses, mosses, bluebells and violets to grow. Silver Birch provides food and habitat for more than 300 insect species, the leaves attracting aphids which provide food for ladybirds and other species further up the food chain.