Betula calcicola is one of a number of dwarf Chinese Birches, it has a covering of dense white hairs over the buds and young shoots which act as insulation, protecting from drying winds. Look and the lenticels can be seen well insulated on the twiggy growth.

This villous characteristic gives the young growth and buds a distinct sheen and allows the plant to survive harsh weather at high altitude. The plant is a slow growing shrub found colonising cliffs in SW Sichuan and into NW Yunnan Provinces.Betula calcicola

In the Garden specimens can be found in the rock garden where the stunted characteristics are perfectly to scale.

Betula calcicola

Betula calcicola