Betula utilis ‘Chris Sanders’

A very richly coloured newish form from wild Chinese seed. The bark is a complex mix of very fine features, with a base layer of dark purplish-red-brown, heavily banded with white lenticels. The whole is washed hither and thither with a misty cloud of whitish betulin and the papery peelings are semi-translucent burnt-orange. Praise be! A medium sized hardy tree for most soils. The soft yellow catkins seen on the bare branches in spring are exceptionally long, to at least 15cm; sometimes even longer than those of B. insignis.