Betula pendula is a hardy tree with rapid growth which is able to reach heights of 30m (Atkinson 1992). Its bark is characteristically smooth and white, but is often black and fissured at the base. Younger trees may have reddish trunks and older examples may have discoloured bark which resembles Betula pubescens (Gamlin, 1985). The bark produces papery tissues that contain betulin, which reflects light giving it its silvery appearance. The bark remains smooth for a long time but does eventually peel off in thin flakes.The young branches are covered with greyish-white resin warts, but otherwise are smooth and shiny (Vedel and Lange, 1978). The main distinguishing features from other birches are the glabrous leaves and the twigs which are dotted with whitish warts (Gamlin, 1985). The young shoots are also very thin and pendulous, the buds are small and sticky and the leaves are acuminate and highly serrate (Vedel and Lange, 1978).