There are 18 species of birch trees
Birch
A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus Betula, in the family Betulaceae, which also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams. It is closely related to the beech-oak family Fagaceae. The genus Betula contains 30 to 60 known taxa of which 11 are on the IUCN 201…
Betula pendula
Betula pendula, commonly known as silver birch, warty birch, European white birch, or East Asian white birch, is a species of tree in the family Betulaceae, native to Europe and parts of Asia, though in southern Europe, it is only found at higher altitudes. Its range extends into Siberia, C…
Full Answer
What is the life span of a white birch tree?
White Birch (Betula papyrifera) This versatile species is common in the Northeast. A strong, flexible white birch tree can live for 80 to 140 years. Sometimes referred to as Canoe Birch, Silver Birch, or Paper Birch, this tree is clearly identified by its papery white, peeling bark.
How does a white birch tree adapt to the environment?
Birch trees are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, especially in colder northern regions. These trees have adapted to survive in such an environment. Some of the adaptations are as follows: 1) The branches of birch are flexible and thus snow is unable to break them.
Where do white birch trees grow in the US?
White birches thrive in the Colorado climate. White birch (Betula papyrifera) is also known as paper birch and canoe birch because of its characteristic white paper bark. White birch trees planted in Colorado, U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4, 5 and 6, respond well to standard birch care. Do Birches Grow in Arizona?
Do ladybugs eat white birch trees?
Ladybugs are renowned aphid eaters. Releasing a couple hundred ladybugs in your garden will ensure an aphid-free birch tree. One ladybug can eat up to 1,000 aphids a day. You can order ladybugs online and have them delivered to your home. There are special tricks to consider when releasing ladybugs.
Is birch always white?
Birch trees grow best in USDA zones 2 through 7. Some species of birch have slender, single trunks with irregular-shaped canopies. The birch foliage tends to grow higher up the tree, revealing white-gray, red, or black bark. You'll also find clumping birch trees with multiple trunks growing together from the ground.
Are birch trees the only white trees?
Among the most common types of white bark trees are varieties of aspen, birch, poplar, sycamore, and gum species.
Do all birch trees have white trunks?
There are 18 species of birch trees in North America, with only several species having white bark. The most common birch trees with purely white bark are paper birch and silver birch trees. Birch trees have white bark so they can reflect sunlight during the winter when inactive.
What is the difference between white and yellow birch?
However, the Paper Birch has bright white bark, the underside of which is a pinkish color. When it peels, the strips are fairly wide, and thick. Yellow Birch bark, by contrast, is more bronze in color; and the bark of the Yellow Birch tends to peel off in thin papery ringlets.
Is there a red birch tree?
Red birch trees can be found in Manitoba, Canada. The red birch, also called Betula occidentalis, water birch, or river birch, is a birch species belonging to the Betulaceae family. It is commonly found on stream and river banks in the United States regions of California, North Dakota, and New Mexico.
Is there a difference between white birch and paper birch?
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. Paper birch is named for the tree's thin white bark, which often peels in paper like layers from the trunk.
What is the difference between birch and silver birch?
Not to be confused with: Silver birch (Betula pendula) and the two easily hybridise. Silver birch has hairless and warty shoots whereas downy birch shoots are covered in small, downy hairs. The bark of downy birch isn't as white and papery as silver birch.
How do you tell the difference between birch and poplar?
Birch leaves tend to turn golden in the autumn, which can help you recognize the tree. These leaves are typically oval with a tapered end and smaller than the poplar leaves, which are rounded in most species and almost as wide as they are long.
Why are some birch trees whiter than others?
Paper birch trees appear white to us because they reflect most of the sun's rays. In contrast, dark-barked trees – which is to say, pretty much all other trees – reflect very little but instead absorb nearly all colors.
What color is natural birch?
Birch is a native hardwood that comes from the genus Betula....Birch Wood.ColorPale white to reddish-brown or yellowSourceYellow Birch Tree ( Betula alleghaniensis Britt. )Density1,260 lbf (5,600 N) on the Janka scale2 more rows
Is there a black birch tree?
Description: Betula lenta, known by the common names of black birch, sweet birch, or cherry birch, is a native birch species present throughout much of eastern North America. It is valued for its wood, which when exposed to air darkens to resemble mahogany, as well as being a source of wintergreen oil.
How do I identify a Yellow Birch?
Yellow birch is one of the largest of the eastern hardwoods. It is very similar to sweet birch, but easily distinguished by its bark; an amber-yellow to silvery yellow-gray bark that peels off in thin curls.
What is a white birch tree?
The white birch, also known as the paper birch and the canoe birch, is among the most utilized of all ornamental trees. White birch features a rounded shape when mature with a bark that makes it stand out in any season, especially in autumn when its leaves turn brilliant yellow. White birch exists across most of the American North, from Labrador westward to Alaska. Native Americans made extensive use of this tree and you can use it as well, but to enhance your landscape--not to construct canoes.
How big do white birches get?
White birch is a medium-sized tree, with most in the wild growing to heights between 50 and 70 feet . The trunk is typically about 1 to 2 feet wide. The leaves of a white birch are ovate, around 2 to 4 inches long and 1 or 2 inches in width. The male and female flowers of birches, called catkins, exist on the same tree. 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 female catkins develop into a cylindrical cone about 1 1/2 inches long that disintegrate when ripe, spreading the seeds.
How to tell if a birch is white?
Look at a white birch after about four or five growing seasons and you will notice that its red-brown bark has turned to a chalky white. The older white birches have black patches, and if you were to strip away white birch bark, you would note the inner bark is a shade of orange.
What color is the bark of a white birch?
The older white birches have black patches, and if you were to strip away white birch bark, you would note the inner bark is a shade of orange.
What is the most ornamental tree?
The white birch, also known as the paper birch and the canoe birch, is among the most utilized of all ornamental trees. White birch features a rounded shape when mature with a bark that makes it stand out in any season, especially in autumn when its leaves turn brilliant yellow.
Where do white birches take over?
In nature, white birch takes over in open areas after a fire. Put a white birch where the soil is moist, as birches require plenty of water to grow.
Do birches have male and female flowers?
The male and female flowers of birches, called catkins, exist on the same tree. 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 female catkins develop into a cylindrical cone about 1 1/2 inches long that disintegrate when ripe, spreading the seeds. ...
What is a birch tree?
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida. Birch trees belong to the genus Betula and are classified as part of the Betulaceae family of plants. They are typically small to medium-sized trees and shrubs found in temperate zones in the Northern Hemisphere. Some varieties grow in shrubby clusters. Others are trees that clump with multiple trunks.
What is a Japanese white birch?
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. This tree grows best in medium to wet, well-drained, sandy or rocky loam. Although it prefers full sun, the Japanese White Birch thrives in northern and eastern exposures that receivs some afternoon shade. A main requirement is consistently moist soil. 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.
What is a silver birch tree?
The Silver birch has an attractive pendulous habit and distinctive white bark that peels away in papery strips. It grows as single-trunk tree that gradually transforms from pyramidal in shape to a more rounded, oval crown. Also known as Weeping birch or European white birch, the sliver birch was once used extensively in landscapes, but its high susceptibility to the bronze birch borer has limited its use in more recent years. 2
How long does a yellow birch tree live?
Yellow birch, named for the color of its bark, is a relatively long-lived birch which typically grows 150 years and may even grow up to 300 years in old-growth forests. It is a single-stemmed tree with yellow-bronze bark that peels in narrow horizontal strips.
What is the most likely pest to strike a birch tree?
Insect pests are most likely to strike a birch tree in areas where it is wounded or diseased. By keeping your trees well pruned and free of damaged branches, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of infestation by bronze birch borer or other insects. Here are 11 common types of birch trees for your landscape. 01 of 11.
What is a bog birch?
Western Arctic National Parklands/Flickr/CC 2.0. Bog birch is a medium-sized, short-lived, clump-forming shrub that thrives in wet sites. The plant tolerates occasional flooding, alkaline soil, clay soil, and road salt. 1 When planted in residential landscapes, it grows well around bodies of water or in boggy areas.
Where does paper bark birch grow?
Paper Bark Birch (Betula papyrifera) Plant Image Library / Flickr / CC By 2.0. Primarily native to Alaska, Canada, and northern U.S. states, this tree has lovely white bark and yellow fall color. It can grow either as a single-trunk tree or in small clumps with multiple trunks.
What Are Birch Trees?
Birch trees are deciduous trees that grow near water sources throughout the northern hemisphere. Similar to aspens, birch trees are known for their beautiful light-colored bark and bright yellow fall foliage.
How to Identify Birch Trees
Birch trees are pretty easy to identify thanks to their light-colored bark and triangular leaves. Its closest look alike is the aspen, but there are a few ways to tell birches and aspens apart.
Conclusion
Birch trees are beautiful trees that grow throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They have many amazing uses and provide a crucial food source for wildlife during the fall and winter. Check out our guides on trimming and saving dying birch trees.
How to identify a birch tree ( Betula )?
In this article, we will cover three different species of birch trees. By association, you will be able to recognize other species and varieties.
Where do birch trees grow in the US?
There are dozens of birch species that grow across the US. The two species – European white birch (Betula pendula) and River birch (Betula nigra) pretty much cover all 50 US states [2].
How does birch pollen spread?
Birch tree releases its pollen in the air during spring and wind can carry its pollen many miles. The birch tree is very common in the US, so it is likely that you have one nearby.
What does birch pollen look like?
Birch pollen looks like a fine yellow powder when collected in a Petri dish. However, each individual grain is invisible to the eye when it’s airborne.
When do birch trees bloom and release pollen?
The birch trees allergy season is spring. In California, they release pollen during March and April. In Calgary, Canada, which has a much colder climate, the trees release pollen during April and May. Therefore, it is fair to assume that the colder East Coast of the US also experiences peak birch pollen season during April and May.
How do you know if a birch tree is releasing pollen?
All birch trees have separate male and female flowers on the same tree (monoecious). The mature male flower (catkin) is responsible for producing and releasing pollen and causing birch tree allergies.
Final thoughts
Birch tree allergies are common in the US as well as in Europe. It belongs to the Betulaceae family, which also includes another allergen, the Alder tree. It is common, as is the case for the author, if you react to the pollen of one tree, you react to the other as well [4].
How tall do white birch trees get?
However, these trees are notoriously short-lived and tend to start "declining" after reaching about 40 or 50 feet in height.
Why are white birch trees so popular?
White birch trees are popular ornamental trees because of their tall, graceful limbs and their beautiful pale bark. However, if the tree has serious leaf discoloration and leaf fall, you may need to wait until the leaves fall naturally and then treat the birch with a fungicide to eradicate the problem.
Why are my fig trees' leaves yellow?
Chlorosis means "leaf yellowing." In the cases of serious infection , the leaves may turn bright yellow or greenish-yellow all over. However, the first indications of chlorosis are simply the veins of the leaf yellowing while the body remains green. Generally the tree can resolve this problem on its own if it is getting sufficient iron in the soil. Fertilizing the tree with a high-iron fertilizer will usually help the tree fend off the problem. However, if you note serious, dramatic, early leaf fall then you may need to provide more help in the form of a micronutrient fertilizer.
What does chlorosis mean on birch trees?
Chlorosis means "leaf yellowing. ". If you note shelf fungus or other fungi growing on the sides of your white birch tree, then it is best to remove the tree entirely to prevent the fungus from moving from one tree to another and killing them all. 00:00. 00:04 12:45. GO LIVE.
What are the spots on birch leaves?
Leaf spots are small, isolated areas of the leaves that have been infected by fungi. They tend to be brown or reddish in color, and appear as fall approaches and the leaves begin to senesce. However, since white birch trees are susceptible to fungal infections, you must control even seemingly insignificant problems immediately.
Can fungus be removed from birch trees?
If you note shelf fungus or other fungi growing on the sides of your white birch tree, then it is best to remove the tree entirely to prevent the fungus from moving from one tree to another and killing them all. Fungicides may help resolve minor heart rot issues, but in most cases this disease will kill the tree.