Betula pendula 'Nigra' - Black Birch - Evergreen Trees Direct

Betula pendula 'Nigra' - Black Birch

Name: Betula pendula 'Nigra' - Black Birch
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 620.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$620.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

80000 in stock

Title: 100L

100L 40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

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

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Betula pendula 'Nigra' - Black Birch

Betula pendula 'Nigra' – Black Birch is a fast-growing, deciduous tree with dark textured bark, weeping branches, and golden autumn foliage. Reaches 10–20 metres high with a 6–10 metre spread. Green diamond-shaped leaves turn yellow in autumn. Bark provides strong winter interest.

Plant in clusters for an enclosed, enchanted grove effect, or space 5–8 metres apart for open form. Suited to avenue planting, screening, and mixed landscapes. Tolerates frost, coastal wind, and varied soils. Low maintenance. Prefers full sun to part shade. Moderate drought tolerance once established.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

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

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m - 20m Approximately

Mature Width: 3m – 5m

Betula pendula 'Nigra' - Black Birch is expected to grow Approx. 30 – 60 cm per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Betula pendula 'Nigra' - Black Birch frost tolerant?

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

Flowering Information

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.

Native Information

Is Betula pendula 'Nigra' - Black Birch an Australian Native? 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.

Wildlife Value

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.

Sunlight Information

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

Full Sun

Preffered 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.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Silver Birch 'Nigra'

Genus: Betula

Botanical Species: pendula

Family: Betulaceae

Botanical Name: Betula pendula 'Nigra'

Landscape Uses

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.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Planting Tips: Ensuring a Strong Start

Site Selection: Choose a location with full sun to part shade and well-draining soil.
Digging the Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball but at the same depth to encourage strong root establishment.
Soil Preparation: If needed, improve drainage with compost and coarse sand.
Watering: Deeply water after planting and continue for the first 6–12 months.
Mulching: Apply a 5–7 cm mulch layer around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Hedging & Screening: Not typically used – light canopy and narrow form

Feature Tree: 3 m – 5 m – To highlight its striking dark bark and pendulous branches

Avenue Planting Trees: 4 m – 6 m – Elegant form when spaced for light penetration

Caring for Your Betula nigra

Watering

Establishment Phase (First Year): Water deeply once or twice per week, more frequently in hot or dry conditions.
Mature Plants: Requires minimal watering, except during prolonged drought.

Pruning

Timing: Prune lightly in late summer or early autumn to maintain shape and remove dead or diseased branches.
Method: Avoid heavy pruning as birch is susceptible to sap bleeding.

Fertilization

When to Fertilize: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring if soil is deficient in nutrients.
How to Fertilize: Spread around the root zone, avoiding direct contact with the trunk.

Pest & Disease Monitoring

Pests: May be affected by aphids and leaf miners.
Diseases: Susceptible to rust and leaf spot; ensure good air circulation.

Mulching

Benefits: Helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Application: Apply a 5–7 cm organic mulch layer, keeping it a few centimeters away from the trunk.

Winter Care
Betula nigra is hardy and tolerates cold temperatures, requiring no special winter protection

Enhancing Soil for Elegant Growth and Visual Appeal

Ideal Drainage: Betula pendula varieties thrive best in well-drained, moist soils.

Well-Draining Soil: This soil type is excellent for promoting healthy growth and the striking appearance of Silver Birch.

If you have the following soil, here are some tips for you:

Sandy Soil: Good for drainage but may require additional organic matter to retain moisture and nutrients.
Clay Soil: Can be made suitable by amending with organic compost and sand to improve structure and moisture management.
Loamy Soil: An ideal substrate; enhance with organic matter to ensure continued moisture retention and nutrient availability.
Peaty Soil: Ensure it is well-drained; mix in perlite or coarse sand to provide the right balance for healthy birch growth.

Betula pendula 'Nigra' - Black Birch is expected to grow Approx. 30 – 60 cm per year.

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

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)

Ideal Conditions

Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Betula pendula ‘Nigra’ develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs best with deep, occasional watering during extended dry periods to support leaf quality and maintain its distinctive dark, textured bark.