AT A GLANCE
What trees are similar to the birch?
The most similar to the birch is actually that alder (Alnus). The similarity stems from the fact that the alder is also a member of the birch family. They also have similarities hornbeam, also from the birch family, aspen, poplar and hazel.
How are alder and birch similar in appearance?
Both birch and alder are native deciduous trees. These features are roughly the same:
- Max. growth height approx. 30 m
- straight stem
- loose crown structure
- deciduous foliage
- plain, sawn, light green leaves
- heyday in March and April
- long male catkins
- small, unremarkable female blossoms
- similar bark (on some varieties)
also read
What are the similarities with aspen and poplar?
birch and aspen, also known as aspen, are similar in growth height, heyday, flower type and very concise in leaf shape and color. Besides, the aspen has one too straight stem, whose gray bark resembles some birches. However, she only has a loose crown when she is young. These overlaps also exist with the poplar, which is related to the aspen, but it can grow a little taller and slimmer and starts flowering as early as February.
What does the birch have in common with hazel and hornbeam?
The hazel trunk is more branched, the crown denser. The most similar features are leaf shape and catkins. From a botanical point of view, the hornbeam is not a beech, but also comes from the birch family. Catkins and leaves, however, look similar to birch only from afar, on closer inspection they turn out to be noticeably different and distinguishable. It only blooms from May, when the birch has long since faded.
Are all birch doubles unsuitable for allergy sufferers?
Unfortunately, in addition to the birch, these also apply alder and the hazelas aggressive pollen donorsthat can cause serious symptoms. Poplar and aspen pollen tend to trigger moderate symptoms. The pollen of the hazel tree can also trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people.
Tip
The double of the silver birch is the weeping willow
The Betula pendula, in everyday speech as silver birch known, is unique with its overhanging branches. The hanging willow comes closest to its crown shape, which is important to us in the garden or pot, although its leaves have a completely different shape.
