Betula Pendula - Version 2014.3. Stritch, L., Shaw, K., Roy, S., & Wilson, B. In The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, pages 62535/0+. 2014.
abstract   bibtex   
[Excerpt] Betula pendula~is classified as Least Concern due to its widespread distribution, stable populations and no major threats. [::Common Name(s)] [::]English - Silver Birch, Weeping Birch, Common Birch, European White Birch [::]French - Bouleau Pleureur [::]Spanish - Abedul [::Taxonomic Notes] Trees from the extremes of the distribution in Europe (Betula pendula), northeast Asia and Japan and western North America (B. platyphylla, B. mandshurica, B. neoalaskana) and southwest China and Tibet (B. szechuanica) look different and can be distinguished from one another. However, when the whole continuous geographical range of diploid silver birches is considered, all those named as species intergrade in geographically intervening areas. It is thought to be best divided into three subspecies, ssp. pendula in Europe and eastwards to central Asia, ssp. mandshurica in eastern Asia and western North America and ssp. szechuanica in western China from Qinghai and Gansu to Yunnan and southeast Xizang.~Betula~platyphylla has been described as a seperate species, representing birches from Mongolia east of the Altai and into western and northeastern China but it is thought the two are synonymous.~Betula~oycoviensis previously listed as threatened is a form of B. pendula.~Betula~pendula ssp. font-queri and B. pendula ssp. parvibracteata, previously listed as threatened are thought to be only minor variants of B. pendula.~Betula szaferi, described previously as Extinct in the Wild, is now considered a weak growing, precociously and heavily fruiting form of B. pendula, due to the presence of a mutant gene [::Range Description] The native distribution of this species is more or less continuous from Europe to the Far East and into northwest Africa (Morocco).~This species~is extensively cultivated throughout its temperate range, and it has been known to persist or to become locally naturalized in several parts of its range. [::Countries] Native:Albania; Armenia (Armenia); Austria; Belarus; Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Yukon); China (Gansu, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Sichuan, Tibet (or Xizang), Xinjiang, Yunnan); Croatia; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France (Corsica, France (mainland)); Georgia; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iran, Islamic Republic of; Iraq; Ireland; Italy (Italy (mainland), Sicilia); Japan; Kazakhstan; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of; Mongolia; Montenegro; Morocco; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Romania; Russian Federation (Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, Central European Russia, Chechnya, Chita, Dagestan, East European Russia, Ingushetiya, Irkutsk, Kabardino-Balkariya, Karachaevo-Cherkessiya, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Magadan, North European Russia, Northwest European Russia, Severo-Osetiya, South European Russia, Stavropol, Tuva, West Siberia, Yakutiya); Serbia (Kosovo, Serbia, Serbia); Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey (Turkey-in-Asia); Ukraine (Krym, Ukraine (main part)); United Kingdom (Great Britain, Northern Ireland); United States (Alaska, Georgia); Uzbekistan [::Population] The species is most abundant in northern Europe, where the distribution is more or less continuous in mixed forests and also fairly large pure stands can be found. In the western and southern parts of the range the distribution is more patchy and in the south B. pendula~is found mostly at higher altitudes. The species is missing from Iceland, and most of the Iberian peninsula and is fairly rare in Greece, confined to northernmost parts of the mainland. [::Habitat and Ecology] This species is a fast growing, medium sized deciduous tree rarely exceeding 30 m in height and the average height of pure stands is usually less than 25 m. This species is found as even-aged stands or in mixed woodland on a wide range of light, well-drained, particularly acidic soils.~The species is monoecious, male and female catkins are found in the same tree but it is self-incompatible.~This species colonizes open areas quickly (especially burned areas) and, when left unchecked, can reduce the conservation value of habitats such as heathland. One of the reasons why this species so successfully colonized the newly emerging lands following the retreat of the Ice Age glaciers lies in its abundantly-produced seed. This is very light and efficiently dispersed by the wind. Even today, it remains a 'pioneer' species; one of the first trees to occupy suitable ground. However, it is not a long-lived tree; most trees die or succumb to fungal attack by the age of 70. However, they do offer protection to slower-growing, longer-lived trees such as oaks, and where left to regenerate can play an important role in helping to nurture developing woodland. It is also widely planted on roadsides and in parkland. [::Use and Trade] Betula pendula~is among the most commercially important tree species in northern Europe. It is cultivated as an ornamental tree and for timber. Its wood is used in plywood-making and carpentry as well as for pulp-wood. The wood contains ethereal oil which makes the wood burn well and produce a rapid heat, making it popular as firewood. The wood is pale-coloured and very dense. The wood fibres are very short and birch pulp is mixed with conifer pulp to improve paper quality. The bark has many uses. Birch tar and oil can be made from the bark, birch tar forms the basis of a good conserving agent for leather and wood, and is often used to make car polish. The whole bark is waterproof and is used as an underlay for doormats, roof coverings, balconies and in North America in the construction of wigwams and canoes. Wine made from the sap was once taken as a medicine. Today, the leaves and bark are mostly used for their diuretic properties. One of the major constituents of the bark, betulinic acid, has shown activity against cancerous cells and HIV.~This species is an essential component of temperate and boreal forests and has positive effects on the diversity of ecosystems. A large number of herbivorous insects and symbiotic fungi are dependent on the presence of birches.In Finland, the cultural and economic value of the species is recognized in its status as the national tree. [::Major Threat(s)] There are no major threats facing this species. However, the main threats to the genetic diversity of this species are found at the margin of its distribution, where occurrence is discontinuous and consisting of isolated subpopulations. In particular, southern (Spain, Italy, France) and, to a smaller extent, northern edges of the distribution area are subject to this fragmentation process. Very little is known about the amount and organisation of genetic variation in the southern marginal areas. Within the main distribution area there are no immediate threats to the genetic diversity of this species.
@incollection{stritchBetulaPendulaVersion2014,
  title = {Betula Pendula - {{Version}} 2014.3},
  booktitle = {The {{IUCN Red List}} of {{Threatened Species}}},
  author = {Stritch, L. and Shaw, K. and Roy, S. and Wilson, B.},
  year = {2014},
  pages = {62535/0+},
  abstract = {[Excerpt] Betula pendula~is classified as Least Concern due to its widespread distribution, stable populations and no major threats. [::Common Name(s)] [::]English - Silver Birch, Weeping Birch, Common Birch, European White Birch [::]French - Bouleau Pleureur [::]Spanish - Abedul [::Taxonomic Notes] Trees from the extremes of the distribution in Europe (Betula pendula), northeast Asia and Japan and western North America (B. platyphylla, B. mandshurica, B. neoalaskana) and southwest China and Tibet (B. szechuanica) look different and can be distinguished from one another. However, when the whole continuous geographical range of diploid silver birches is considered, all those named as species intergrade in geographically intervening areas. It is thought to be best divided into three subspecies, ssp. pendula in Europe and eastwards to central Asia, ssp. mandshurica in eastern Asia and western North America and ssp. szechuanica in western China from Qinghai and Gansu to Yunnan and southeast Xizang.~Betula~platyphylla has been described as a seperate species, representing birches from Mongolia east of the Altai and into western and northeastern China but it is thought the two are synonymous.~Betula~oycoviensis previously listed as threatened is a form of B. pendula.~Betula~pendula ssp. font-queri and B. pendula ssp. parvibracteata, previously listed as threatened are thought to be only minor variants of B. pendula.~Betula szaferi, described previously as Extinct in the Wild, is now considered a weak growing, precociously and heavily fruiting form of B. pendula, due to the presence of a mutant gene [::Range Description] The native distribution of this species is more or less continuous from Europe to the Far East and into northwest Africa (Morocco).~This species~is extensively cultivated throughout its temperate range, and it has been known to persist or to become locally naturalized in several parts of its range. [::Countries] Native:Albania; Armenia (Armenia); Austria; Belarus; Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Yukon); China (Gansu, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Sichuan, Tibet (or Xizang), Xinjiang, Yunnan); Croatia; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France (Corsica, France (mainland)); Georgia; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iran, Islamic Republic of; Iraq; Ireland; Italy (Italy (mainland), Sicilia); Japan; Kazakhstan; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of; Mongolia; Montenegro; Morocco; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Romania; Russian Federation (Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, Central European Russia, Chechnya, Chita, Dagestan, East European Russia, Ingushetiya, Irkutsk, Kabardino-Balkariya, Karachaevo-Cherkessiya, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Magadan, North European Russia, Northwest European Russia, Severo-Osetiya, South European Russia, Stavropol, Tuva, West Siberia, Yakutiya); Serbia (Kosovo, Serbia, Serbia); Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey (Turkey-in-Asia); Ukraine (Krym, Ukraine (main part)); United Kingdom (Great Britain, Northern Ireland); United States (Alaska, Georgia); Uzbekistan [::Population] The species is most abundant in northern Europe, where the distribution is more or less continuous in mixed forests and also fairly large pure stands can be found. In the western and southern parts of the range the distribution is more patchy and in the south B. pendula~is found mostly at higher altitudes. The species is missing from Iceland, and most of the Iberian peninsula and is fairly rare in Greece, confined to northernmost parts of the mainland. [::Habitat and Ecology] This species is a fast growing, medium sized deciduous tree rarely exceeding 30 m in height and the average height of pure stands is usually less than 25 m. This species is found as even-aged stands or in mixed woodland on a wide range of light, well-drained, particularly acidic soils.~The species is monoecious, male and female catkins are found in the same tree but it is self-incompatible.~This species colonizes open areas quickly (especially burned areas) and, when left unchecked, can reduce the conservation value of habitats such as heathland. One of the reasons why this species so successfully colonized the newly emerging lands following the retreat of the Ice Age glaciers lies in its abundantly-produced seed. This is very light and efficiently dispersed by the wind. Even today, it remains a 'pioneer' species; one of the first trees to occupy suitable ground. However, it is not a long-lived tree; most trees die or succumb to fungal attack by the age of 70. However, they do offer protection to slower-growing, longer-lived trees such as oaks, and where left to regenerate can play an important role in helping to nurture developing woodland. It is also widely planted on roadsides and in parkland. [::Use and Trade] Betula pendula~is among the most commercially important tree species in northern Europe. It is cultivated as an ornamental tree and for timber. Its wood is used in plywood-making and carpentry as well as for pulp-wood. The wood contains ethereal oil which makes the wood burn well and produce a rapid heat, making it popular as firewood. The wood is pale-coloured and very dense. The wood fibres are very short and birch pulp is mixed with conifer pulp to improve paper quality. The bark has many uses. Birch tar and oil can be made from the bark, birch tar forms the basis of a good conserving agent for leather and wood, and is often used to make car polish. The whole bark is waterproof and is used as an underlay for doormats, roof coverings, balconies and in North America in the construction of wigwams and canoes. Wine made from the sap was once taken as a medicine. Today, the leaves and bark are mostly used for their diuretic properties. One of the major constituents of the bark, betulinic acid, has shown activity against cancerous cells and HIV.~This species is an essential component of temperate and boreal forests and has positive effects on the diversity of ecosystems. A large number of herbivorous insects and symbiotic fungi are dependent on the presence of birches.In Finland, the cultural and economic value of the species is recognized in its status as the national tree. [::Major Threat(s)] There are no major threats facing this species. However, the main threats to the genetic diversity of this species are found at the margin of its distribution, where occurrence is discontinuous and consisting of isolated subpopulations. In particular, southern (Spain, Italy, France) and, to a smaller extent, northern edges of the distribution area are subject to this fragmentation process. Very little is known about the amount and organisation of genetic variation in the southern marginal areas. Within the main distribution area there are no immediate threats to the genetic diversity of this species.},
  keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13621343,betula-pendula,conservation,forest-resources,iucn,iucn-least-concern-lc},
  lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13621343}
}
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