Silver Birch - Betula pendula
The Silver Birch is a fast growing but short lived deciduous tree, reaching maturity at 40.
The tree is easily identified by its silvery-white bark, often marked with areas of black.
It produces serrated, pale green, triangular leaves and pendulous pale catkins.
The Silver Birch is found across northern Europe and Scandanvia where it is grown for forestry.
The sap of the Silver Birch can be tapped and brewed into a 'wine' and traditionally the wood was used for making cotton reels and bobbins.