Betula chichibuensis is a rare and threatened species from Japan, where the wild population was reported to be reduced to just 21 individuals. It is a multi-stemmed shrub of small tree, apparently unrelated to any other species, growing on limestone outcrops, although tolerant of wet soils. It is self-incompatible, so it is best if several plants (ours are seed-raised) are grown to maintain genetic diversity. It has brown bark, ovate fresh green leaves, and creamy yellow male catkins and red female ones.

Extremely rare birch from Japan, unrelated to any other species.