Betula platyphylla Fargo Dakota Pinnacle

Common Name:
Dakota Pinnacle Asian White Birch

Description:
Betula platyphylla ‘Fargo’, commonly sold as Dakota Pinnacle Birch, is a narrow upright deciduous ornamental tree prized for its slender columnar form, bright white bark, and strong cold and heat tolerance. This elegant birch variety develops a dense vertical canopy of glossy green foliage that turns attractive golden-yellow in autumn before leaf fall. Its crisp white bark becomes increasingly prominent as the tree matures, providing striking year-round interest, particularly during winter. Dakota Pinnacle is highly suited to tighter garden spaces, avenue planting, screening, and formal landscapes where a vertical accent is desired without excessive spread. In Melbourne’s climate, it performs best in full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil and regular watering during dry periods. This hardy selection demonstrates improved tolerance to heat and urban conditions compared to many traditional birches, while maintaining the graceful appearance birches are valued for. Its clean form and ornamental bark make it an excellent feature tree for contemporary and classic garden designs alike.

Form:

• Tree - Medium

Mature Size:

• Height: 8–12 m
• Width: 3–4 m

Aspect:

• Full Sun
• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:

• Brown
• Green

Key Attributes:

• Deciduous
• Feature Bark
• Feature Tree
• Perennial
• Suitable for Avenue Planting
• Suitable for Screening
• Suitable for Small Gardens

Toxicity:

• Generally considered non-toxic to humans and pets.
• Pollen may cause mild allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Companion Plants:

• Clivia
• Helleborus
• Hydrangea
• Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)
• Liriope
• Magnolia
• Rhododendron
• Viburnum
• Woodland ferns

This cultivar is grown by Flemings Nurseries, one of Australia's most renowned growers.
Image used with permission from Fleming’s Nurseries.

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