{"product_id":"downy-birch-betula-pubescens","title":"Downy Birch (betula pubescens)","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardiness: Fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerant to -20°C or lower; native species, particularly suited to cooler, wetter, and northern regions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSite: Full sun to partial shade for best white bark display and yellow autumn colour; tolerates exposed, windy, upland, or boggy positions; graceful, fast-growing tree needing space (matures 15–20m tall, often narrower crown than silver birch).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoil: Prefers moist, well-drained to wet, poor or acidic soils; highly tolerant of heavy clay, peat, sand, or very poor conditions; avoid dry, chalky, or highly alkaline sites.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlanting time: Bare-root November to March (dormant season); container-grown ideally autumn or spring.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlanting method: Dig a wide hole (twice root spread width); add organic matter only if soil is extremely poor; plant at the same depth as was growing in the nursery (soil mark on stem, avoid deep planting); stake young trees if necessary; mulch base and water thoroughly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatering: Water regularly during the first 1–2 years to maintain moist soil, especially in dry periods; once established, highly tolerant of wet conditions and moderate drought.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaintenance: Low; minimal pruning (remove unwanted or damaged branches in late summer\/autumn to avoid sap bleed); no regular feeding needed; ideal for natural, wildlife-friendly, or wet gardens.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Cumbria Tree Growers Ltd","offers":[{"title":"40-60cm","offer_id":58451235930456,"sku":null,"price":1.08,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"60-90cm","offer_id":58451235963224,"sku":null,"price":1.68,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1012\/4879\/4968\/files\/Betulapubescensplugs.jpg?v=1789932975","url":"https:\/\/www.treegrowers.co.uk\/products\/downy-birch-betula-pubescens","provider":"Cumbria Tree Growers Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}