Betula insignis

Introduced from China in only 1985 and still a rarity in cultivation. Described as 'most handsome' by Ashburner and Mc Allistair. Leaves large, up to 16cm long, and the big clusters of male catkins are 'the showiest of all birches', being again up to 16cm long. The dark bark has conspicuous horizontal lenticels. Excellent yellow-orange autumn colour. A medium sized tree, even good on wet clay.