Physical Characteristics : A decidious Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 2. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from Jul to August. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Wind.It is noted for attracting wildlife. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade.It requires dry or moist soil.The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

The USDA Forest Service describes in Fact Sheet ST-98 November 1993: Betula pendula ‘Youngii’ Figure 1. Middle-aged ‘Youngii’ European Birch. ‘Youngii’ European Birch1 Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2 INTRODUCTION Youngs Weeping European Birch is graceful, weeping ornamental with wonderful yellow fall color but is susceptible to fatal attacks of bronze birch borer (Fig. 1). The leaves are often browned by birch leaf miner. When grown, plan to provide the necessary insect control and provide the necessary cultural conditions for best growth. It grows moderately with a variable height depending on how it was trained. Some specimens appear sloppy, others more tailored. Lawn grasses grow fairly well in its light shade. A moist soil and a regular fertilization program plus watering in dry weather are suggested. Although popular, the tree requires more care and spraying than other ornamental trees. Not a low maintenance tree. Maintaining a good mulch around the root zone is helpful for best growth. GENERAL INFORMATION: Scientific name: Betula pendula ‘Youngii’ Pronunciation: BET-yoo-luh PEND-yoo-luh Common name(s): ‘Youngii’ European Birch Family: Betulaceae USDA hardiness zones: 3 through 6 ) Origin: not native to North America Uses: near a deck or patio; shade tree; specimen Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range DESCRIPTION: Height: 12 to 20 feet Spread: 15 to 25 feet Crown uniformity: irregular outline or silhouette 1. This document is adapted from Fact Sheet ST-98, a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: November 1993. 2. Edward F. Gilman, associate professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611. Crown shape: weeping Crown density: moderate Growth rate: slow Texture: fine Foliage: Leaf arrangement: alternate Leaf type: simple Leaf margin: double serrate Leaf shape: ovate; rhomboid Leaf venation: pinnate Leaf type and persistence: deciduous Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches; less than 2 inches Leaf color: green Fall color: yellow Fall characteristic: showy Flower: Flower color: brown Flower characteristics: showy; spring flowering Fruit: Fruit shape: elongated Fruit length: 1 to 3 inches; .5 to 1 inch Fruit covering: dry or hard Fruit color: brown Fruit characteristics: attracts birds; inconspicuous and not showy; no significant litter problem Trunk and Branches: Trunk/bark/branches: droop as the tree grows, and will require pruning for vehicular or pedestrian clearance beneath the canopy; routinely grown with, or trainable to be grown with, multiple trunks; not particularly showy; tree wants to grow with several trunks but can be trained to grow with a single trunk; no thorns Pruning requirement: requires pruning to develop strong structure Breakage: resistant Current year twig color: brown Current year twig thickness: thin Culture: Light requirement: tree grows in full sun Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; well-drained Drought tolerance: moderate Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate Soil salt tolerance: moderate Other: Roots: surface roots are usually not a problem Winter interest: tree has winter interest due to unusual form, nice persistent fruits, showy winter trunk, or winter flowers Outstanding tree: not particularly outstanding Invasive potential: little, if any, potential at this time Verticillium wilt susceptibility: not known to be susceptible Pest resistance: very sensitive to one or more pests or diseases which can affect tree health or aesthetics USE AND MANAGEMENT: Several cultivars are listed but these too will have pest problems: ‘Dalecarlica’ - deeply lobed leaves on pendulous branches; ‘Laciniata’ - cut leaves; ‘Fastigiata’- upright growth habit; ‘Purple Splendor’(purpurea), ‘Scarlet Glory’ - purple leaves; ‘Tristis’ - weeping habit; ‘Youngii’- weeping habit. Pests A light aphid infestation may not be serious but heavy infestations cause distorted and stunted growth and produce large amounts of honeydew. The honeydew serves as a substrate for sooty mold. Birch skeletonizer feeding causes leaf browning. The skeletonizer larva is yellowish-green and one quarter-inch-long. Birch leaf miner is a common insect pest of birch. A small white worm eats out the middle of the leaf which turns brown. Severe attacks of birch leaf miner predispose trees to bronze birch borer infestation. The insect shows up in mid May but timing can vary from one year to the next, and will vary according to your location in the country. The first of two generations per year is the most damaging. The most serious pest of landscape white birches is bronze birch borer. Stressed trees are most susceptible to borer attacks. The insect bores in the sapwood, beginning in the top third of the tree, causing death of the tree crown. The tunnels are slightly raised and faintly rust colored. Emergence holes in the trunk are shaped like capital D’s. Keep the trees healthy by controlling other insects, fertilizing, and watering as needed. Chemical control is applied to the trunk and main branches. Timing of the first spray will vary from year to year depending on weather conditions. A commercial sprayer may be needed to apply the spray adequately. Diseases: Several fungi cause canker diseases on birch. These diseases infect and kill sapwood causing sunken areas on the trunk and larger branches. There is no chemical control for canker diseases. Preventive measures include keeping the tree healthy and avoiding wounding. Regular fertilization will keep birches vigorous and more resistant to cankers. Water in dry weather to prevent water stress. Dieback is characterized by a slow death of the branches. The tree crown accumulates dead branches. Injury caused by bronze birch borer is similar but far more prevalent. Prevent dieback by maintaining tree vigor with water and fertilizer. When the disease does occur prune out dead branches and increase tree vigor. Several fungi also cause leaf spots which, when severe, can cause defoliation.