Species of the genus Betula are a difficult group taxonomically because of their high vegetative variability and frequent hybridization. Many species have been founded on only slight differences and many of these have subsequently been reduced to synonymy. Many morphologic and cytologic studies have attempted to deal with variation within the genus or its subgroups. Species of Betula form a polyploid series, with chromosome numbers of 2 n = 28, , , , and 112, plus additional numbers in some hybrids.

Common Name:

General Information

Betula alnoides is a deciduous tree with a rather open crown and slightly drooping branches, growing up to 30 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole is up to 60cm in diameter[]. The tree may become evergreen in the warmest parts of its range[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, source of timber etc.
This species has a wide distribution and is reported to be common across the majority of its range. There are no major threats reported for this species. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southern China, northern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam

Habitat

Can be found in pure stands in secondary forests; in moist evergreen forests on rich, deep loamy soils; dry evergreen hill forests on upper hill slopes and ridges on yellow-red soils; at elevations from 300 - 2,100 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree mainly of the warm temperate to subtropical zones, it is also found in the tropics at moderate elevations in areas such as northern Vietnam[].
Succeeds in a well-drained loamy soil in a sheltered position[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes wet soils[]. Shade tolerant[].
Hybridizes freely with several other members of this genus[, ]. This specis is closely related to the Chinese species Betula luminifera[].
Species in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Inner bark - can be dried, then ground into a powder and added to flour for use in making bread, cakes etc[]. The inner bark is generally only seen as a famine food, used when other forms of starch are not available or are in short supply[].

Young bark can be used as an additive for drinking water[]. We are not sure if this i to add a flavour to the water or to make it drinkable by purifying it[].

Medicinal

The plant has been used as an antidote in the treatment of snake bites[, ].

A decoction of the bark is used to treat dislocated bones[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A natural pioneer species within its native range, it often self sows freely on disturbed soils and can form pure stands in secondary forests[].
The tree is planted as a pioneer species in northern Thailand in reforestation projects to restore native woodland - it is planted in degraded woodland and open areas in a mix with various other species that all have the ability to grow fast; produce dense, weed-suppressing crowns; and attract seed-dispersing wildlife, particularly birds and bats[].

Other Uses

The thin layer of outer bark is used as a paper[].

The juice of the bark is used for decorating wood[].

Wood - moderately hard, close grained, strong, durable[, , ]. Used for minor construction, household utensils etc[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

The species is a good timber species; the wood is hard and coarse and can be used for furniture and cabinet work and for household utensil making[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[, , , ]. Only just cover the seed and place the pot in a sunny position[, , ]. Spring sown seed should be surface sown in a sunny position in a cold frame[, ]. If the germination is poor, raising the temperature by covering the seed with glass can help[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
If you have sufficient seed, it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed, either as soon as it is ripe or in the early spring - do not cover the spring sown seed. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for 2 years before planting them out into their permanent positions in the winter[, , , ].