Identity
Category :
Arbre remarquable
Latin name :
Betula pendula
French name :
Bouleau verruqueux
Dutch name :
Ruwe berk
English name :
Common silver birch
Family :
Betulaceae
Height :
16 m
Targeted height :
This species can grow up to 15–30 m
Diameter of the crown :
8 m
Trunk circumference :
126 cm
Expected circumference :
300 cm
Expected longevity :
Can live for 100–200 years
Origin / Indigenous
Europe and Anatolia
Favorite soil :
All soils, aerated, not densely compacted
Favorite climate
Temperate, copes well (enjoys) big chills
Usefulness and services of the tree :
Enhances the landscape :
+++
Enhances the biodiversity :
+
Provide oxygen :
+
Purify the air :
++
Filter the water :
Prevents flooding :
Stores carbon :
++
Softens the climate :
+
Limits soil erosion :
Does good, heals :
+++
Illustrated botany © Wikimedia Commons
Features and characters of the individual
Silver birches do not easily reach the rank of a “remarkable tree”. They are far too common and ephemeral for that. Yet, everyone notices their decorative white or silver bark that reflects the light. But what is especially distinctive about this birch on the Avenue de l’Héliport is that it stands alone: a little like a punctuation mark. Located in sight of a pedestrian crossing, its bark reflects white stripes of light. Its trunk draws out a T-mark on the ground. And the organic shape of its crown stands out clearly next to the geometric lines of buildings from the ‘70s and ‘80s. A pedestrian crossing, a birch, a social housing tower: each sounds quite commonplace, but when the three are combined, it creates an unusual mark at the end of an avenue.
