Betula albosinensis Fascination multi stem

The species from which Fascination was developed was brought back from China in 1901 by Ernest Wilson. He was very taken with it, describing it as follows: “The bark is singularly lovely, being a rich orange-red or orange-brown and peels off in sheets, each no thicker than fine tissue paper, and each successive layer is clothed with a white glaucous bloom” Further to this the catkins in the spring are amazing, up to 10cm in length, opening to a rich yellow-brown and so numerous my kids call it the ‘caterpillar tree’.

Betula albosinensis Fascination is a refined clone with dark green leaves, which are large for a birch, appearing in April, along with the showy display of yellow catkins. It has outstanding stem colour – orange peeling to pink and cream and then purest white once the tree gets beyond 30cm girth. I

t is a medium sized tree, becoming oval as it matures, has stiffly ascending branches and the one outside my kitchen window, now over 63cm girth, is a constant joy and often commented on.

A great choice for parks and verges growing well on most soils. It is listed by a few as Betula utilis Fascination but we put it firmly classified in the albosinensis group.

Mature height: 7-12m