Autumn 2024Order now for delivery from week commencing 4th November for pot grown trees or December for bare-root or mixed tree orders.
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Fascination

Betula albosinensis
Fascination birch bark
Fascination has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit

'Fascination' is one of the more upright birch varieties, making it a good choice for smaller gardens.

The main feature of 'Fascination' is the striking copper-orange bark, which peels to reveal white-pink layers underneath.

'Fascination' also has perhaps the longest catkins of any birch tree.

Fascination birch trees for sale

  • 2-year pot-grown tree £77.00
    In a 12L pot
    Very large size (4m-7m after 10 years)
Next deliveries

Order now for delivery from week commencing 4th November for pot grown trees or December for bare-root or mixed tree orders.

How to grow

'Fascination' is a vigorous birch, likely to reach 5m - 6m after 10 years.

History

'Fascination' is usually now considered to belong to the species Betula albosinensis, the Chinese Red Birch - and its coppery peeling bark is certainly similar to others of that species. However when it was discovered in the 1970s in a batch of trees at a Dutch nursery it was originally placed in the Himalayan birches (Betula utilis).

Fascination characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • AwardsRHS AGM (current) - 2012
  • Attractive featuresAttractive tree / plantAttractive barkWinter colour
  • Growth habitUpright-spreading / Vase
  • Height after 10 years3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
  • SunlightPrefers full sun
  • PruningDo not prune
  • Growth rateAverage
  • Site conditionsOccasional floodingOccasional drought
  • Flowering monthFebruary
  • Leaf colourGreen
  • BarkBrown - light
  • Country of originNetherlands
  • Annual cycleDeciduous

Similar varieties

  • Betula utilis jacquemontii
    Trinity College
    Trinity College is another of the more upright compact birch varieties.

What will it look like?

Illustrative example of a pot-grown tree of this variety as supplied. Approximate girth: 6/8cm. We try to keep all pot-grown trees down to about 1.5m as supplied, but some may be larger. Trees should reach their mature height after about 10 or more years.

Betula alba Fascination birch tree

This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2023.