Ashburner K., McAllister H.A. The Genus Betula: A Taxonomic Revision of Birches

Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens, 2013. — 448 p.The stunning Betula, or birch trees, are notoriously difficult to identify despite being one of the major contributors to the beautiful fall foliage famous in eastern North America. With many wrongly named birches appearing in nurseries and arboreta, this new book, the first ever written on the genus, is an important and much-needed work.
The Genus Betula covers all known birches found in North America, Europe, and Asia, along with keys for accurate identification. Chapters include a look at the breeding, cultivation, conservation, and morphology of all species, including several little-known species wonderful for garden and landscape use. The authors present previously unpublished data on recent molecular work and fossils, providing a cytotaxonomic and phylogeographic revision of the Betula genus. The book is accompanied by exquisite specimens of botanical art, including full-color paintings by Josephine Hague, making it a valuable tool for arboriculturists as well as professional and amateur gardeners.List of Paintings
New Taxa and Combinations
Foreword (Lawrence Banks)
Preface (Hugh McAllister)
Acknowledgements
List of Photographers
Introduction
Breeding Systems And Hybridisation
Cultivation
Conservation
Morphology of Betula
Identification and Naming of Birches
Taxonomic Treatment
Cultivars (compiled by Paul Bartlett)
Glossary
References and Bibliography
Index of Scientific Names
Index of Common Names
Index of Cultivar Names and Hybrids