Bethlehem Wood

Bethlehem Wood is virtually exclusively devoted to its National Collection of birches. There are over 340 birches growing here, the most comprehensive collection possible in local growing conditions.

More than three-quarters of Wakehurst's birches have been raised from seed harvested in the wild in various parts of the world. When harvested, detailed notes of their growing conditions are made and these records, together with the living specimens in Bethlehem Wood, are used to study the distribution and relationships between species.

There are over 50 species of birch trees and shrubs native to their northern temperate and Arctic regions. Just three are British natives; the silver birch, the downy birch and the dwarf birch all of which are grown here.

Birches are economically important, their wood being used from turnery and furniture to flooring and plywood. Extracts are used in insecticides, snakebite remedies and wintergreen, and native peoples in North America traditionally used the bark from the paper birch to make paper, baskets and canoes.
They are important as 'pioneer' species, too, being among the first trees to colonise areas where vegetation is cleared. This is because they are very hardy and able to tolerate inhospitable soils, are easily pollinated by the wind and distribute their seed efficiently.

As a final attraction in addition to its birches, Bethlehem Wood has a magical carpet of primroses and lady's smock in early spring and later, around May, bursts into a sweeping show of bluebells.

Continue the tour

Back up to: Woodland Zone
Bethlehem Wood in depth:

Birch Trail

Charcoal Burner's Encampment

Carry on to: Rock Walk