This deciduous tree has a trunk with grey-white peeling bark and slightly pendant branches that form a conical habit. The diamond-shaped mid green leaves turn yellow during autumn, and the yellow-brown male catkins appear in early spring.

Hardiness zones 2 to 9 

Betula pubescens is naturally found from Europe to northern Asia growing in moist fertile moderately well drained loams in an open sunny position and is frost tolerant but drought tender. 

Downy Birch is grown for its hardiness and its growth habit. It is planted in woodland gardens or parks as a lawn specimen for summer shade or in group plantings. It is also used in damp positions establishing in 3 to 5 years and  is suitable for cool low mountain regions. ID 2179

Note:
On chalky soils the plant becomes stunted and this species can tolerate wetter conditions. The new twigs are covered in a fine smooth down giving rise to the common name, Downy Birch and the whitish bark has numerous lenticels.

Betula (BET-yoo-luh) pubescens (pew-bes-cen-s)

Betulaceae (BE-tul-AY-see-ee)
Birch