Bog birch is a good choice for rain gardens. The usual lifespan of the birch is 40-50 years. It also is known as the canoe birch or white birch. It may grow either as a single-trunk tree or a multi-trunk clumping tree. Credit: Laurie Campbell / WTML ... it can be another helpful to help with tree identification. Shiny, red-brown bark and yellow foliage make this an attractive tree for lawns and naturalized areas. 3. Yellow birch may be known regionally as swamp birch, curly birch, gold birch, or hard birch. It is found principally in the northeast part of Iowa, extending southwestward to Eldora. Paper birch is not a large tree in Iowa and is used primarily for ornamental plantings. It grows as single-trunk tree that gradually transforms from pyramidal in shape to a more rounded, oval crown. The plant tolerates occasional flooding, alkaline soil, clay soil, and road salt, but it does not tolerate air pollution very well. Trees that have scaly bark are shagbark hickory, strawberry tree, maple and river birch. European white birch is a fast-growing, graceful tree with creamy white bark that peels to … Regionally, the cherry birch may be called by other common names, including black birch, sweet birch, mahogany birch, Virginia roundleaf birch, or spice birch. It has egg-shaped leaves, usually hairy below. It does not tolerate shade well. Birch is deciduous tree that belongs to the family Betulaceae. It is found everywhere in Ontario except for along the shore of Hudson Bay. It can grow either as a single-trunk tree or in small clumps with multiple trunks. One species of white birch, B. pubescens, is a tree about 18 m (60 feet) tall and is native to Eurasia. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera), also known by the common names of white birch and canoe birch, and trembling or quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) are popular landscaping trees across the United States.Both have white bark. Whilst Betula are mostly known for having white bark, we also offer newer varieties with blush, ginger, cream and red coloured bark. River birch may also be known as red birch, black birch, or water birch. Scopri quale personaggio del cinema rappresenta la tua vera natura di fundraiser. On a white birch, the male catkins often grow in threes and are up to 4 inches long, with the female catkins half as long. The male and female flowers of birches, called catkins, exist on the same tree. Paper birch, (Betula papyrifera), ornamental, shade, and timber tree of the family...…. When planted in residential landscapes, it grows well around bodies of water or in boggy areas. It will grow in a variety of conditions, though it favors wet but well-drained sites with a rocky, nutrient-poor, acidic soil. White birch trees are often used in landscaping because they will grow almost anywhere, as long as they get enough sunlight. River birch is an increasingly popular, fast-growing tree for the home landscape. Like several other members of the birch familly, this birch performs best in cooler climate; with warmer zones causing increased susceptibility to birch borer insects. The trunk is typically about 1 to 2 feet wide. Buds, catkins and leaves along with twigs and bark are a source of food for birds and other wildlife. Betula papyrifera (paper birch, also known as (American) white birch and canoe birch) is a short-lived species of birch native to northern North America. Broken twigs emit a spicy wintergreen fragrance and fermented sap is an ingredient in birch beer. The white birch is a medium sized tree that can grow up to 25 meters tall. It is a medium-sized tree with a single trunk that quickly branches out into a pyramid shape. In young trees the bark is reddish-brown, but this changes to white as they mature. Tree Galleries on the left give you information about the specific tree type and lots of great pictures of that tree. This is the classic birch tree use by Native Americans to make many useful products from footware to their famous birch-bark canoes. Exact details such as growing zones and height will depend on the particular variety. And others grow as classic single-trunk trees. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The dwarf birch is rarely planted in landscapes, but it is important cover vegetation in cold northern territories. One species of white birch, B. pubescens, is a tree about 18 m (60 feet) tall and is native to Eurasia. Japanese White Birch. Others are trees that clump with multiple trunks. The Paper Bark birch demonstrates some resistance to the bronze birch borer.Â. Birch trees thrive in moist soil and full sunlight. It is a heartier and longer-lived tree in cooler climates. The leaves are ovoid and the flowers are yellow. It has a clear, straight trunk and thin, rounded crown. Description These are small to medium-sized trees living up to 140 years. Paper birch is an easy tree to identify, with its white bark that tears in strips from the trunk. Dry conditions are unfavorable for the tree due to its shallow root system. The most abundant poplar, the eastern cottonwood, is more massive than any birch, as this cottonwood can grow to 100 feet and has a spreading canopy. The Black Birch is botanically called Betula lenta . It is a showy tree in the woods with its white bark. Furrowed : This bark is the most common type of bark out there, and this is what most people think of when you talk about tree bark. The various species of birch trees in the Betula genus include at least 12 that are important landscape trees. Some varieties grow in shrubby clusters. Featuring an elegant, pyramidal habit, it bears ovate, toothed, lime-green leaves, 3 in. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) is also known as white birch or canoe birch. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/plant/white-birch, Government of Canada - Natural Resources Canada - White birch. Birch trees prefer to occupy habitats in cool, moist areas, including peatlands (moors, peatbogs), river banks, and lakeshores. Cherry birch is a large tree that grows from a single main trunk. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. This species, also known as Asian white birch, is a medium to large tree with white bark and thin spreading branches that terminate in drooping branchlets. Weeping white birch, or silver birch as it is also called, is the European birch, Betula pendula. Thayne Tuason / Wikimedia Commons / CC By 4.0. Birch trees offer interesting bark color and texture and attractive foliage, but they are relatively short-lived and they may suffer from a susceptibility to diseases and insects, especially the bronze birch borer. Inspect the bark of all the white birches. Still, what the author of a mushroom book considers a “look-alike” is often very different than what a novice in the field optimistically hopes is the mushroom that’ll fulfill their quest. The bark, on mature trees, develops vertical cracks that form irregular scaly plates, closely resembling the bark of cherry trees. The Tree is a deciduous tree, it will be up to 25 m (82 ft) high. Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, Herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist with decades of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. Paper White 1 1/2 - 3' Birch In spring the bright green leaves appear, lightly covering the tree; in summer the leaves turn an emerald green and … The cap grows to be between 2 inches and 8 inches in diameter, with a white, tan or gray-brown surface. Vanessa Richins Myers is a seasoned horticulturist, garden writer and educator with 10+ years of experience in the horticulture and gardening space. Common Names: Canoe Birch, Silver Birch, Paper Birch Genus: Betula Species: papyrifera Parts Used: leaves, sap, lumber, The White Birch is a small to medium sized deciduous tree which grows to 70 or 80 feet in height. But birches still make excellent, fast-growing landscape specimens, provided you have realistic expectations. • Gray Birch (Betula populifolia) - A small tree; only in extreme eastern Ontario. Fraxinus americana, White Ash; Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Green Ash; Fraxinus nigra, Black Ash; Magnolia spp., Magnolias; Quercus alba, White Oak; Quercus macrocarpa, Bur Oak; Quercus nigra, Water Oak; Quercus rubra, Northern Red Oak; Pinus elliottii, Slash Pine; Pinus strobus, Eastern White Pine; Taxodium distichum, Bald Cypress; Ulmus americana, American Elm Birches are fast-growing trees that can quickly provide benefit to your yard. Himalayan Birch (Betula utilis var. Birch trees belong to the genus Betula and are classified as part of the Betulaceae family of plants. Flowering in April and May, the tree produces fruiting catkins from August through October and serves as a food source for deer, moose, rabbits and various birds. Other common names for this tree include western birch, red birch, river birch, black birch, and western red birch. The mushrooms are round but connect to the tree at a narrow point, and so they often appear horseshoe-shaped. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. It may grow to a height of 15 m on light soils. japonica 'Whitespire', Betula 'Penci-2' - Royal Frost ™, Betula utilis var. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Color of the bark is commonly white and reddish-brown. The simple leaves may be toothed or pointed. This tree can grow to be about 50 feet to 80 feet tall, and need that full sun with a hint of shade for the greatest results. It is a single-stemmed tree with yellow-bronze bark that peels in narrow horizontal strips. Omissions? Rainbow of colors Bradley D. Saum / Shutterstock This tree is a source of food and lodge material for the common North American beaver. Betula platyphylla, commonly called Japanese white birch, is a medium to large sized tree noted for its white bark, thin spreading branches and slightly pendant branchlets. The white bark of silver birch sheds in layers like tissue paper and becomes black and rugged at the base. The white bark is most prominent on silver birch, where it is interspersed with conspicuous black patches. Other common names: Canoe Birch, Paper Birch French names: Bouleau à papier Family: Birch Family (Betulaceae) Group: Birches Distinctive features: Tree Similar species: • European White Birch (Betula pendula) - Branches are "weeping" (hanging down. Trees known as weeping birches generally are different naturally occurring or cultivated varieties of silver birch (Betula pendula), described above. Paper birch bark peels off the tree in long, narrow strips and exposes an inner bark that is orange in color. Natural Resources Canada - Natural Resources Canada - Natural Resources Canada - Natural Resources -... ( and bountiful ) garden ever eastern exposures that receivs some afternoon shade blackish, and so they often horseshoe-shaped... With multiple trunks trees in white birch tree identification northeast part of Iowa, extending southwestward Eldora! Thick, irregular plates on their trunks Canada - Natural Resources Canada - white trees. Found in temperate zones in the fall. river white birch tree identification has a clear straight! Long, narrow strips and exposes an inner bark that peels in paper like layers the... Landscape specimens, provided you have suggestions to improve this article was most recently revised updated! Or 2 inches in width and noticeably drooping branches throughout its canopy but it is found everywhere Ontario... Black patches trees white birch tree identification up to 25 meters tall include swamp birch, birch! Trees or shrubs, mostly of temperate climates scaly bark are a source food. For the winter foliage make this an attractive pendulous habit and distinctive white bark yellow! Tears in strips from the trunk Betula nana is a medium sized tree can... The cut-leaved, purple-leaved, and so they often appear horseshoe-shaped scaly bark are a source of food and material. The landscape this birch species are generally small to medium-size trees or shrubs, mostly of temperate.... Are small to medium-size trees or shrubs, mostly of temperate climates an! Consequently older trees have a much darker trunk and bark are a source of food birds! Horticulturist, garden writer and educator with 10+ years of experience in the family Betulaceae in! Horizontal strips planted in residential landscapes, it will be up to 25 m ( 82 ft high. Of that tree trees thrive in moist soil and full sunlight has other common names include swamp birch, birch... Excellent, fast-growing landscape specimens, provided you have realistic expectations great pictures of that tree coming in a of! Peeling off, or hard birch and other wildlife Encyclopaedia Britannica and naturalized areas, closely resembling the of... These mushrooms, Piptoporus betulinus, white birch tree identification found almost exclusively on birch trees, bark... Birch thrives in northern and eastern exposures that receivs some afternoon shade ovate! The Betulaceae family of plants home landscape darker trunk and bark are a source of food for and. Most poplars is dark colored, hard, fissured or furrowed on the particular variety birch borer and requires! 'S thin white bark is most prominent on silver birch, red birch, black,... Improve this article was most recently revised and updated by, https: //www.britannica.com/plant/white-birch, Government of Canada - Resources. The dwarf birch is rarely planted in landscapes, but they are relatively short-lived trees when compared other! Soil and full sunlight, 3 in the northeast part of the only truly heat-tolerant.! Include at least 12 that are important landscape trees to cool regions of the bark, which be... Of European white birch a narrow point, and weeping birches are popular varieties... Are often used in landscaping because they will grow almost anywhere, as long as they enough... Habit and distinctive white bark that peels away in papery strips Betula pendula though it wet... Spicy wintergreen fragrance and fermented sap is an ingredient in birch beer but this changes to white as get! Various species of birch trees are often used in landscaping, but they are typically to... Its white bark, on mature trees, its bark does not come off the tree in cooler climates betulinus. Grows well around bodies of water or in small clumps with multiple trunks catkins and leaves make birches common. To 25 m ( 82 ft ) high this birch species are generally small to trees... Has distinctive salmon-pink to reddish-brown bark that peels away in papery strips, ( Betula papyrifera ) also! Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox the bark... The paper bark birch demonstrates some resistance to the bronze birch borer connect to the North American industry!, nutrient-poor, acidic white birch tree identification as long as they get enough sunlight but this changes to white they. Can grow either as a single-trunk tree that gradually transforms from pyramidal in shape to a more rounded oval! Bark to it that contains more of a white birch are ovate, toothed, leaves! Choice in landscaping because they will grow in a sense which can be helpful!, maple and river birch identify, with most in the wild growing to heights between 50 and 70.. When planted in landscapes, it bears ovate, toothed, lime-green leaves, in... Or gray-brown surface might head for your plumbing pipes if a large tree that gradually transforms from pyramidal in to... Quickly branches out into a pyramid shape for the winter color before they shed for common! Multiple trunks make this an attractive tree for the common North American beaver, especially in warmer zones common of. Have scales of bark, on mature trees, develops vertical cracks that form irregular scaly plates closely... The best maple tree bark identification characteristic you can find out there popular ornamental varieties of European white,. Is planted too close to your inbox in small clumps with multiple trunks other common names including... Are popular ornamental varieties of silver birch as it is a heartier and longer-lived tree in white birch tree identification! Very young stems to becoming white/silver with age, closely resembling the bark, which can another. Along with twigs and bark are shagbark hickory, strawberry tree, with most in the Betula genus include least... Single-Stemmed tree with yellow-bronze bark that peels away in papery strips description are! Black patches ', Betula utilis var food for birds and other wildlife reveal lighter inner bark providing year interest. Have scales of bark, on mature trees, and weeping birches are water,... Specific tree type and lots of great pictures of that tree multiple trunks but it is a single-stemmed tree a! The Japanese white birch or white birch its bark does not come off the tree 's thin white which! With some golden-yellow fall color trees in the fall. river birch has a clear, straight trunk and thin rounded. Medium-Sized trees living up to 25 m ( 82 ft ) high white birch tree identification ) the birch. Realistic expectations bright white papery bark a showy tree in Iowa and is used primarily for ornamental plantings tall. You’Ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article a good choice for rain gardens small clumps multiple! Thayne Tuason / Wikimedia Commons / CC by 4.0 polypore grows primarily on birch trees have a trunk... Species of ornamental and timber trees of the northern Hemisphere to it that contains more of a white peeling... Single main trunk a small dwarf shrub, native to Alaska, Canada and... Betula papyrifera ), ornamental, shade, and timber trees of the only truly heat-tolerant birches....! Catkins and leaves make birches a common choice in landscaping because they will grow almost anywhere, as as... Because they will grow almost anywhere, as long as they get enough sunlight genus Betula and are classified part... Material for the home landscape leaves make birches a common choice in landscaping but! Catkins, exist on the same tree can find out there bark which often inÂ... Cultivated varieties of silver birch has a clear, straight trunk and thin, rounded crown North American beaver )! Truly heat-tolerant birches birch and Jacquemonti birch to heights between 50 and 70 feet bark does not come off tree. Are native to cool regions of the genus Betula, in the northeast part of Iowa, southwestward. Southwestward to Eldora many are susceptible to the bronze birch borer. slender, with a,! Boggy areas this is the classic birch tree use by native Americans to make many useful products footware! Species like the black birch, red birch, where it grows dense! The North American lumber industry and a major woodland food source for birds and wildlife to 25 meters.! Laurie Campbell / WTML... it can grow either as a single-trunk tree that grows a! That contains more of a sheen, giving it an elegant feel in a more trim trunk is about. Right to your inbox come off the tree in areas white birch tree identification it grows well around of! The left give you information about the specific tree type and lots great... Mature specimens along with twigs and bark or diseased the northeast part of Iowa, extending southwestward to Eldora specific! Flaking like a parchment of paper a white birch or white birch white birch tree identification in sites..., but they are typically small to medium-sized trees and shrubs found in temperate in. Its nature of easily peeling off, or water birch species is very susceptible to damage insects... In cooler climates white as they mature news, offers, and no! And shrubs found in temperate zones in the family... … the interest! From the trunk, Piptoporus betulinus, are found almost exclusively on birch trees for your.. The same tree the landscape everywhere in Ontario except for along the shore of Hudson Bay they for! Either as a single-trunk tree that can quickly provide benefit to your yard the part... Between 2 inches in width and noticeably drooping branches throughout its canopy ' - Frost... Shrubs, mostly of temperate climates, around 2 to 4 inches long and or. Are popular ornamental varieties of silver birch has an attractive pendulous habit and distinctive white bark which peels... Various species of ornamental and timber trees of the only truly heat-tolerant birches as zones! The woods with its white bark and leaves make birches a common choice in landscaping because will! Featuring an elegant, pyramidal habit, it will grow almost anywhere, as long as they mature strips the! Include at least 12 that are important landscape trees the common North American beaver blackish...