Common Name:

General Information

Betula cylindrostachya is a deciduous tree growing up to 30 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood, and possibly also as a medicine.
This species has a wide distribution and is common across its range. There are no reported major threats. 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, Myanmar

Habitat

Subtropical and warm temperate broad-leaved forests; at elevations from 1,400 - 2,800 metres[]. This species can often be found in river valleys usually in dense forests and at low elevations, often in disturbed ground[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Betula cylindrostachya requires a long frost free growing season with adequate summer warmth and rainfall evenly distributed throughout the growing season. The young shoots are tender and not frost hardy, so frosts in late spring after the buds have broken can kill even quite large trees[].
Succeeds in a well-drained loamy soil in a sunny, sheltered position[, ]. The plant is heat tolerant and apparently fairly drought tolerant on deep soils[].
Hybridizes freely with several other members of this genus[, ]. This species is closely related to the diploid Betula alnoides and Betula luminifera, with which it has sometimes been confused[].
Species in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Methyl salicylate is obtained from the bark and young shoots[]. An essential oil containing methyl salicylate, it is anti-inflammatory, analgesic and rubefacient[]. It can be used in the treatment of rheumatism, bladder infections, neuralgia etc[], though it is mainly used as a flavouring in medicines[]..

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant often grows in disturbed ground, seedlings are found on open ground at roadsides and on landslip sites. It has also been found growing in open arable land[]. It should be suitable for use as a pioneer species for restoring native woodland within its native range[].

Other Uses

The tree produces oil of wintergreen when the bark of shoots are bruised[]. Oil of wintergreen contails methyl salicylate, which is sometimes used in perfumery and also medicinally[].

The wood is useful for the manufacture of plywood[].

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[, , , ].