Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch

$170.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 30cm

30cm 40cm/45L 100L 200L – Multi Trunk 300L – Multi Trunk 300L – Single Trunk 500L 750L – Multi Trunk

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 2m – 2.8m Approx.
100L: 3m – 3.2m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m to 15m (approx.)

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Contact

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch

Betula pendula 'Nigra' is a deciduous birch grown for its bark. Where standard Silver Birch is bright white, 'Nigra' develops dark, textured bark that becomes the main feature once the leaves drop. The name refers to the bark, not the foliage.

It reaches 10 to 15 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, with fine weeping branches and a light open canopy. Green diamond-shaped leaves turn clear yellow through autumn. Planted in clusters the dark trunks read as a grove. Spaced 5 to 8 metres apart they suit an avenue.

Best in cool to temperate regions: Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands and Tablelands, and elevated parts of South Australia and Western Australia. Full sun to part shade in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Frost hardy, and holds up well to inland wind.

Two things worth knowing before you plant. The roots are shallow and spreading, so keep it at least 3 metres clear of paving, pipes and pools. And it prefers consistent moisture rather than coping alone through a dry summer, so water deeply through extended dry spells.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch

What colour is the foliage?

Green, turning clear yellow in autumn. The name 'Nigra' refers to the dark bark, not the leaves. If you are after purple foliage, the cultivar you want is Betula pendula 'Purpurea', which is a different tree.

How is it different from standard Silver Birch?

The bark. Silver Birch is bright white; 'Nigra' develops dark, textured bark. Habit, leaf and autumn colour are much the same, so the choice comes down to whether you want white or dark trunks in the planting.

How big does it grow?

Around 10 to 15 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide in Australian conditions. The canopy stays relatively narrow and light, which is why it works in avenues and groves without dominating a garden.

How fast does it grow?

Around 30 to 60 cm per year in suitable cool to temperate conditions. That is a moderate rate, quicker in good soil with consistent water, slower in poor or dry ground.

Where in Australia does it grow best?

Cool to temperate regions: Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands and Tablelands, and elevated parts of South Australia and Western Australia. It will not perform in subtropical or tropical areas, and struggles in hot dry inland positions.

Are the roots a problem near paving or pipes?

Birch roots are shallow and spreading rather than deep and aggressive. Plant at least 3 metres from paving, pipes, pools and foundations and you will avoid most issues. Avoid planting directly over a service trench.

Does birch trigger hay fever?

Birch pollen is a known spring hay fever trigger, released from the catkins over a few weeks in early spring. If someone in the household is sensitive to tree pollen it is worth planting away from bedroom windows and outdoor living areas, or choosing a different feature tree. We are happy to suggest alternatives.

How far apart should I plant them?

Five to 8 metres apart for an open avenue. Around 2 metres for a dense grove or multi-stem clump effect, where the dark trunks are the point.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Screening or Privacy
Avenue Planting
Council or Civic Landscapes

Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch Evergreen or Deciduous?

Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m to 15m (approx.)

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch

Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch

Is Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch frost tolerant?

Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch Flower?

Betula pendula ‘Nigra’ produces slender yellow-brown catkins in early spring before the new leaves emerge. Though modest, these early-season flowers provide a valuable pollen source for native bees and beneficial insects as the tree begins its growth cycle.

Does Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch an Australian Native Tree?

No

Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch is Native to A cultivar of the European Silver Birch (Betula pendula), native to Europe and parts of Asia, selected for its ornamental bark.

What is the Wildlife Value of Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch ?

Its fine, lightly spreading canopy provides shelter for small birds, while its catkins support early-season pollinators such as native bees and hoverflies. The bark and branch structure also encourage insect diversity, contributing to a healthy, biodiverse garden ecosystem.

How much Sunlight does Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch need?

Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Betula pendula ‘Nigra’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or overly wet soils unless improved with organic matter to enhance aeration and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures, particularly during hot or dry spells, to maintain canopy health and bark quality.

Is Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch Drought Tolerant?

Is Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch Drought tolerant?

Betula pendula 'Nigra' is shallow-rooted and prefers consistent soil moisture. It is not a drought-tolerant tree. Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months, then deeply and less often once established, with extra attention through hot dry spells. Mulching over the root zone makes a noticeable difference to leaf quality through summer.

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How To Plant Your Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch in Different Soil

Betula pendula performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What colour is the foliage?
Green, turning golden-yellow in autumn. The name 'Nigra' refers to the dark bark, not the leaves.

Is Betula pendula 'Nigra' suitable for small gardens?
At 10 to 20 metres at maturity it is better suited to larger gardens, avenues and parkland, though it can be planted in groves in medium gardens.

How often should I water it?

Young trees: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months.
Established trees: Reduce to deep occasional watering, mainly through extended dry periods.

Does it attract wildlife?
Yes. Spring catkins provide early pollen for native bees and hoverflies, and the fine canopy shelters small birds.