Betula turkestanica

Turkestan birch is a member of the birch or Betulaceae family and is native to parts of Central Asia. It can grow up to 15 m tall.

• Leaves are alternate, simple, ovate [egg-shaped], 2–7 cm long and 1–6 cm across, margins serrate, tip pointed, 4-7 lateral veins on each side of the mid-vein; petiole is 1-2 cm long.
• Species is monoecious; males form groups of 2–3 catkins, 4–10 cm long near the end of the twig; females are upright, slender, light green, about 2.5–3.5 cm long in the spring. They form cone-like seed-bearing cylinders by fall which disintegrate in the winter, dispersing the seed.
• Bark is yellow-white, flaky peeling; branches are brown or dark brown, covered in lenticels.