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Silver Birch

Silver Birch
Betula pendula

This elegant species is a very familiar sight on the Kinson Common, especially around the  Two Barrow Heath, Central Bog and Central Sallows regions. It is a characteristic and very common tree on dry, sandy and peaty soils locally.

It grows to almost 20m in height. The peeling white bark and black patches are familiar to everyone. Leaves are ace-of-spades shaped. Catkins are yellowish, males hang, females are more erect.

Birch-bark has been used for tanning leather.