| What type if any birch tree will go well in this area, specifically San Mateo,California which is about 30 miles south of San Francisco on the bay side of hte Peninsula. |
| You're in a mild winter area (specifically zone 16, according to Sunset Western Garden Book). Most any birch will grow in your gardening region. Betula albo sinensis is a large (100' tall, 30' wide) tree and may outgrow your yard in a hurry. Smaller birches are Betula pendula (weeping birch) and they grow 30'-40' tall. If I had room, I'd choose Betula pendula 'Purple Rain' because of the vivid purple color of the new foliage. This tree grows 35' tall and 20' wide. If you have a smaller area, choose Betula pendula 'Youngii', or Young's Weeping Birch. This is a lovely tree growing 10'-15' at maturity, with an umbrella-like crown. |
