By Size - 6ft-8ft | 2m-2.5m

The Betula nigra ‘Heritage’, commonly known as the Heritage River Birch or Black Birch, is a deciduous tree native to the eastern United States. It is celebrated for its distinctive, attractive bark and robust nature, making it a popular choice for ornamental planting in the UK.

The Heritage River Birch can grow to a height of 21 metres, with a spread of 9 to 12 metres. It has a rounded to pyramidal shape when young, maturing into an irregular oval or rounded form. The leaves are simple, ovate, and serrated, displaying a vibrant green colour during the growing season, which turns a striking yellow in autumn.

One of the most notable features of the Betula nigra ‘Heritage’ is its exfoliating bark. The bark peels away in layers, revealing a patchwork of colours ranging from creamy white and pinkish-tan to reddish-brown, providing year-round visual interest. This characteristic bark makes the tree particularly attractive in winter landscapes when foliage is absent.

This cultivar is highly tolerant of various soil conditions, including wet soils, which makes it ideal for planting near water bodies or in poorly drained areas.

Betula nigra ‘Heritage’ prefers full sun to partial shade. The tree is relatively low maintenance, requiring minimal pruning and care once established. Its resilience, ornamental bark, and attractive foliage make it a desirable choice for gardens, parks, and urban landscapes.

Sorbus aucuparia 'Chinese Lace' is a distinctive ornamental tree valued for its unique aesthetic appeal and hardiness. It features finely cut, intricate, lace-like leaves, which grant the tree an elegant and delicate appearance. The tree produces clusters of vibrant orange-red berries, which are a prominent feature in the late summer and fall, providing a striking contrast to the foliage and attracting various birds and wildlife.

This variety of Sorbus aucuparia is celebrated for its adaptability to different environmental conditions, tolerating a range of soil types and prospering in both full sun and partial shade. It’s relatively resistant to diseases and pests, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardens and landscapes.

The ‘Chinese Lace’ showcases a splendid display of color during the autumn season when the leaves turn into a mixture of fiery reds, oranges, and yellows, creating a visual spectacle. This decorative feature makes it a sought-after choice for those looking to add autumnal color to their gardens.

Its compact growth habit and moderate height make it suitable for smaller gardens or for planting in restricted spaces. It provides structure, texture, and color to landscapes, blending well with other plants or standing alone as a focal point, enhancing the overall aesthetics of the surroundings.

Alnus incana, commonly known as grey alder, is a deciduous tree belonging to the birch family, Betulaceae. Native to Europe, Asia, and North America, it is a resilient species often found in riparian zones, wetlands, and areas with moist soils. This medium-sized tree typically grows to heights of 15 to 25 metres, with a slender trunk and smooth, greyish-brown bark, which often develops fine fissures with age.

The leaves of Alnus incana are oval to elliptic in shape, measuring 5 to 10 centimetres in length. They are characterised by their serrated margins and a dark green upper surface, with a paler, slightly downy underside, giving them a distinct two-tone appearance. The leaves emerge in early spring and typically turn yellow before falling in autumn.

Grey alder is monoecious, meaning that both male and female reproductive structures are found on the same tree. The male catkins, which are long and pendulous, appear in early spring before the leaves, while the smaller, more upright female catkins develop into woody cones that persist on the tree through the winter. These cones release small winged seeds, which are dispersed by wind and water.

One of the notable features of Alnus incana is its ability to fix nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium *Frankia*. This allows it to thrive in nutrient-poor soils and contribute to soil fertility, making it a valuable species for land restoration and erosion control.

Grey alder is often planted in landscaping and reforestation projects, particularly in areas prone to flooding or soil degradation. Its rapid growth, hardiness, and ecological benefits make it an important species in maintaining the health of wetland ecosystems.