I planted a group of three silver birch a few years ago. Unfortunately, they didn't grow fast enough and all have now succumbed to the drought. Perhaps I should have planted tube stock.

This site, a comparison between silver birch and downy birch, has a fairly good description of the leaves and bark. It doesn't mention "furry" leaves but it may help in a positive identification.

Did you manage to identify your little tree?

Thanks Wombat, but no. Nothing speaks of the furry underside of leaves, but I am still inclined to think that it is a silver birch. Apparently they do grow quite quickly. The leaves are now sprouting again, so I will take a photo when they are fully out and put on the web. From the sounds of the site you mentioned, which I had found earlier, it seems to indicate silver birch as well. Guess if worst comes to worst, we could cut it down, but that would be a waste if we could move it when young.

Woori

It is a Silver Birch!! I have finally been able to purchase a tiny officially labeled Betula Spendula and it also has the furry underside to the leaf. Now the only disappointing thing is that I have thrown out about 15 perfectly good little trees for fear of planting something I would regret. Tube stock obviously grows far better than those a metre or so high.

At least I now know that the one beside the house won't be carrying off our slab overnight.

Woori

Congratulations!!

Both on your identification and on the fact that you grew it in the first place. In my previous garden I had a weeping birch and a silver birch and numerous attempts to grow either from seed failed. Any, in my compost rich garden, which sprouted all sorts of interesting babies, no birches emerged by themselves.