Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Tree
Origin
India, Nepal, China
Southeastern United States, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America
Types
Betula utilis
-
Number of Varieties
21
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Mountains
Dry Forest, Lowland
USDA Hardiness Zone
5-710-15
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
7-5
12-10
Sunset Zone
3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17
H1, H2
Habit
Pyramidal
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
1,220.00 cm300.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
760.00 cm370.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Tan, Brown
Purple, Violet, Blue Violet
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
Yellow, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Yellow green
Green, Olive
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Yellow
Green, Olive
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Olive
Shape
Leaf Shape
Cordiform
Pinnate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Medium
Very Slow
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Spring
Early Spring, Spring, Late Winter, Indeterminate
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
-
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground
How to Plant?
Grafting, Stem Cutting
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Requires watering in the growing season
Average Water Needs, Keep the ground moist but not water-logged, Requires regular watering
In Summer
Average Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize in late fall, slow-release fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, slow-release fertilizers
Pests and Diseases
Honey fungus, Leaves with brown tip, Phytophthora Root Rot, Powdery mildew, Verticillium Wilt
Pests and diseases free, Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Dry Conditions, waterlogging, Wet Site
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
Flowers
Insignificant
Showy
Flower Petal Number
-
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Medium
Fine
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
-
Birds, Butterflies
Allergy
-
Skin irritation
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
-
Beautification, Cottage Garden, Ground Cover
Beauty Benefits
Weightloss
Blood purifying
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Food for birds, Shadow Tree
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, Antioxidants, Antiseptic, Carminative
anti-inflammatory, Gout, Rheumatism, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Bark, Leaves
Fruits, Seeds, Wood
Other Uses
Used in construction, Wood is used in construction
Used for its medicinal properties, Wood is used for ship building
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
BETULA utilis
GUAIACUM sanctum
Common Name
Himalayan Birch
Holy-wood, Lignum Vitae
In Hindi
हिमालय सन्टी
Holywood
In German
Himalaya-Birke
Holywood
In French
bouleau de l'Himalaya
Holywood
In Spanish
abedul del Himalaya
Holywood
In Greek
Himalayan σημύδας
Holywood
In Portuguese
bétula Himalaia
Holywood
In Polish
Himalayan brzoza
Holywood
In Latin
Birch Himalayan
Holywood
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Fagales
Sapindales
Family
Betulaceae
Zygophyllaceae
Genus
Betula
Guaiacum
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
-
Zygophylloideae
Number of Species
305
1
27800
👆🏻