TreeBetulaceae
Silver Birch
Betula pendula
- Habitat
- Heathland, open woodland, moorland
- IUCN status
- LCLeast Concern
- Max height
- 25 m
Ecological relationships
Mycorrhizal partner of
Brown Birch BoleteLeccinum scabrumObligate ectomycorrhizal associate of birch. Virtually never found without a Betula host nearby.
Fly AgaricAmanita muscariaThe iconic association between fly agaric and birch. Birch is its primary pioneer-woodland host alongside pine.
Brown RollrimPaxillus involutusWell-documented ectomycorrhizal associate of Silver Birch. Historically eaten across Europe before its cumulative haemolytic toxicity was established, a rare case of a mycorrhizal fungus proving fatal to humans.
The SickenerRussula emeticaAlso ectomycorrhizal with Silver Birch in mixed pine-birch heathland.
Woolly MilkcapLactarius torminosusObligately ectomycorrhizal with Betula; rarely or never recorded with other host genera (Nuytinck & Verbeken 2003).
Host of
Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulinaObligate on Silver Birch, virtually never recorded on any other host. Causes a brown rot that softens the trunk; infected birches are preferentially selected by Great Spotted Woodpecker for nest excavation.
Willow BracketPhellinus igniariusCommon perennial bracket on older Birch, contributing to standing deadwood habitat on which many saproxylic species depend.
Parasitised by
Tinder FungusFomes fomentariusMajor parasite of Silver Birch in northern European forests; often co-occurs with Birch Polypore on the same host.
Nesting site for
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minorExcavates nest cavities in soft-rotted Silver Birch, often in trunks weakened by Birch Polypore.