Culture
Best grown in moist, acidic, sandy or rocky, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. Best foliage color occurs in full sun, but plants appreciate some afternoon part shade in hot summer areas such as St. Louis. This shrub needs consistently moist soils. Consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist. Can be pruned to shape during the dormant season. Avoid pruning in winter or spring when the sap is running because it will bleed. Performs best in cool northern climates where summer temperatures rarely exceed 75°F. and where root zones are generally covered with snow throughout the winter.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Betula is a genus of about 60 species of deciduous trees and shrubs found throughout the northern hemisphere. Many are excellent garden and landscape trees.
Genus name is the Latin name for birch.
'Golden Treasure' CESKY GOLD is a hybrid dwarf birch cultivar with bright, chartreuse-yellow foliage. The small leaves have scalloped edges and retain their color all season. This cultivar is the result of a cross between B. pendula 'Golden Cloud' and B. nana. Sometimes sold under the hybrid designation Betula × plettkei.
Problems
No major pest or disease problems.
Uses
Use as an accent shrub or in mass plantings. Can be pruned into a hedge.