Downy Birch

Betula pubescens: Triangular in shape but more rounded at the base than silver birch leaves. Leaf stalks are downy, as opposed to hairless on silver birch.

Downy birch is monoecious, meaning both male and female flowers (catkins) are found on the same tree. Appearing from April to May, male catkins are long and yellow-brown in colour. They hang in groups of two to four at the tips of shoots, like lambs' tails; while female catkins are smaller, short, bright green and erect.