Common Name:

General Information

Betula maximowicziana is a deciduous tree that can grow 24 - 30 metres tall[, ].
This is a major timber-producing tree in Japan and is also commonly cultivated as an ornamental tree[]. It can be used as a pioneer for restoring native woodland.
The Red Data Book of the Russian Federation lists this species as Endangered in Russia, however, that is a national assessment and the distribution of this species in Russia is very limited. This species has a fairly wide distribution, no known threats and globally it is not considered to be threatened. 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 - Russian Far East, north and central Japan

Habitat

Mixed cool temperate forests at low elevations, where it is often dominant[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	26.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in a well-drained loamy soil in a sunny, sheltered position[, ]. This species appears to be more drought tolerant than many other birches[].
Natural regeneration of this species depends mainly on the previous year's seed production, but the species has been shown to have a persistent seed bank with over 16% of buried seed being viable after six years. This means that there is always seed present in the soil, even in years when no seeds are produced, to take advantage of any disturbance which provides favourable conditions for seed germination[].
Hybridizes freely with several other members of this genus[, ].
Species in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

This species is a large, fast growing, long lived tree that can be used as a pioneer species for restoring native woodland[, ].

Other Uses

Harvested commercially for its wood[].
The wood of species that grow to a large size has many uses, including the manufacture of doors and windows, flooring, cabinetry, interior molding, wood paneling, furniture, and 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[, , , ].