0000008637 00000 n In St. Louis, gray birch is best grown in medium to wet, well-drained, sandy or rocky loams in full sun to part shade. Trim & Accent. 0000012500 00000 n You may encounter three types of birch trees in the United States that feature white bark. 0000005205 00000 n Observe the trunks and the branches of the white birches and try to detect differences in them. Weeping Birch Trees . Other common names:Gray Birch. 0000006782 00000 n Gray birch bark does not come off the tree without much difficulty. 0000001379 00000 n Variety Betula platyphylla Sukaczev var. Birch species are generally small to medium-sized trees or shrubs, mostly of northern temperate and boreal climates. 0 1995. The leaves are alternate, ovate, short-pointed,2 –4 inches long, thick-er than those of gray birch, doubly-toothed, with the upper surface dark green and dull. Originally thought to be Betula platyphylla japonica, Whitespire has recently been identified as Betula populifolia, Gray Birch, a species known to be bronze birch borer resistant. x�bbf`b``Ń3���0 IN� 50YY 12/095. The simple leaves are alternate, singly or doubly serrate, feather-veined, petiolate and stipulate. The paper birch has leaves that can grow to 4 inches in length, and the gray birch leaves average between 2 and 3 1/2 inches long, states the University of Connecticut Plant Database website. <]>> Garden designers across the country love this improved selection of Gray Birch with its good pest resistance and enormously ornamental features. Landscaping: Gray birch is an attractive tree that is Birch trees are scattered throughout the United States. Paper birch has a leaf shaped like the point on a spear, with a more rounded base. 60YY 58/091. These white birches include the paper birch (Betula papyrifera), the gray birch (Betula populifolia) and the European white birch (Betula pendula), an ornamental species introduced from overseas. It needs little pruning, but if necessary, prune during the dormant season. FWL: 7.5-11 mm (male); 11.5-14 mm (female). xref All Rights Reserved. Sun, will grow on poor soil, both wet and dry. Gray birch prefers sunlight and is shade intolerant. Forewing pattern is variable, but the majority of individuals have three fasciae that are variably expressed from costa to dorsum.The costal margin is sinuate, giving resting individuals a classic "bell-shaped" appearance.The distal half of the hindwing is white in males and yellowish in females. 20-40' x 10-20'. Color/Appearance: Heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, with nearly white sapwood. Full sun. The bases of European white birch leaves are blunt and the tips long and pointed. It needs full sun to thrive and is usually surrounded by plants with similar tolerances – willow, rose, Labrador tea, larch and black spruce. Estimate the sizes of the white birch trees you discover. It is a good hardwood species for use in the revegetation of mine spoils and other disturbed areas. In addition to its white bark and yellow fall foliage, the form of this tree provides landscaping interest. Betula populifolia, commonly called gray birch, is a short-lived, narrow-columnar, suckering, deciduous tree that typically grows to 20-40’ tall.It most often appears in a multi-trunked form, but also grows with a single trunk. 0000003882 00000 n Bronzed Ivy. The gray birch has a longer and narrower point on its tip, which makes it almost seem triangular. trailer Three varieties of birch are commonly used as lumber -- white, yellow and sweet. The red-brown or gray bark of young stems and branches whitens as the tree matures, becoming red orange on the inner surface. Native to the northeastern US and eastern Canada. #���]f���bj$f;б+K_� s�bN�}�\�����B5U�X\�����.T�?��It'Zi�< 20YY 63/258. 0000000892 00000 n In the St. Louis area, it is best sited in a northern or eastern exposure that receives some afternoon shade. x�b```f``�c`e`�Qb�g@ ~���? platyphylla – Asian white birch P: Species Betula populifolia Marshall – gray birch P: Species Betula pubescens Ehrh. %%EOF ssp. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →. ssp. Make sure to plant this tree where soil is likely to remain cool. 0000036569 00000 n Featuring an elegant, pyramidal habit, it bears ovate, toothed, lime-green leaves, 3 in. Older trees develop a chalky white bark that does not peel. It's important to split white birch into small sections and give the wood plenty of time to dry. white birch, wire birch. Fiberon Gray Birch 1x12x12 Fascia $ 123.30 Fiberon Gray Birch 1x8x12 Riser $ 79.74 Fiberon Gray Birch 5/4x6x12 Grooved $ 55.08 Fiberon Gray Birch 5/4x6x16 Grooved $ 73.44 Fiberon Gray Birch … Paper birch bark peels off the tree in long, narrow strips and exposes an inner bark that is orange in color. 0000004623 00000 n White birch definition is - paper birch; also : gray birch. The bases of European white birch leaves are blunt and the tips long … It is not tolerant of flooding of any long duration. long (7 cm), with some golden-yellow fall color before they shed for the winter. This is the classic birch tree use by Native Americans to make many useful products from footware to their famous birch-bark canoes. Gray birch looks very similar to paper birch (Betula papyrifera) with its chalky, white bark, but is much more tolerant of heat and dry soils, making it more suitable than paper birch for the warmer zones of eastern American landscapes. H��TMs�8��W�(L�"��q3��l:��7V�L��$�ȱW��i}AP����jl �=��w�t�c��`>? Grey birch can often be found with white birch and its associated species, again on dry sites, while bog birch lives up to its name, being found in acidic, boggy areas. The bark of the saplings and trees is white, but punctuated with gray chevrons where the branches meet the trunk. populifolia (Marshall) Spach. Complementary. Occasionally figured pieces are available with a wide, shallow curl similar to the curl found in Cherry.There is virtually no color distinction between annual growth rings, giving Birch a somewhat dull, uniform appearance. Whitespire Birch is very adaptable preferring moist, well drained, slightly acidic soils. It seems to tolerate drier soils in its native range. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. "National Audubon Society Field Guide to Trees;" Elbert Little; 2008. Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. The flowers are in catkins. The bases of European white birch leaves are blunt and the tips long and pointed. Grey Birch 60YY 51/101. Frequently Asked Questions About Yellow Birch Wood. Gray Birch vs Yellow Birch. 0000001202 00000 n Adult Recognition. Uses Conservation: Gray birch is a pioneer species that can tolerate multiple soil conditions. Betula alleghaniensis, the yellow birch, golden birch, or swamp birch, is a large and important lumber species of birch native to North-eastern North America.Its vernacular names refer to the color of the tree's bark. 0000015170 00000 n 20YY 41/165. The European variety can grow to 50 feet tall, according to the Floridata website, while the shortest is the gray birch, a tree typically between 20 and 40 feet high. They open in early spring before the leaves. Resistant to bronze birch borer and air pollution. Camel Tan. Although birch wood was used quite a bit in the 1960s and 1970s for furniture and cabinetry, it isn’t used much today by craftsmen. Consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist. Observe the trunks and the branches of the white birches and try to detect differences in them. 0000000016 00000 n 0000025815 00000 n The gray birch has a longer and narrower point on its tip, which makes it almost seem triangular. Will tolerate poor, infertile soil, sandy or gravelly sites, wet or dry soil. Gray birch often is injured by ice and snow. Black triangular patches form on bark, under branches. Gray birch, white birch, fire birch, bouleau à feuilles de peuplier, bouleau gris . Gray birch trees often have a bushy appearance, with multiple stems emanating from one trunk, branching off quickly above the ground into various sections. Selected over twenty years ago by Dr. Edward R. Hasselkus at the University of Wisconsin, Madison Arboretum. Gray Birch is an attractive tree that resembles the commonly cultivated Betula pendula (European White Birch). Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years. Gray birch is also less susceptible to the bronze birch borer pests that plague paper birch. 218 0 obj<>stream 0000004344 00000 n They often appear in pairs, but these pairs are really borne on spur-like, two-leaved, lateral branchlets. European white birch trees have a slender trunk of perhaps a foot in width and noticeably drooping branches throughout its canopy. The outer bark resembles that of paper birch but is not so white, peels less, and has rough, triangular, black patches below the junctions of branches and trunk. Native geographic location and habitat. 90YR 31/227. This is a cultivar of a tree n ative to the northeastern United States. 0000006153 00000 n Examine the leaves of these birches closely. It can be grown in planting zones 3 to 9. – downy birch P: Subspecies Betula pubescens Ehrh. Gray birch is a narrow, pyramidal tree of cool climates. It also is known as the canoe birch or white birch. Tall and stately, Whitespire's showy bark does not exfoliate or pee l. It will create a magnificent focal point in both daytime and at night. About Grey Birch. 0000001827 00000 n A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. This is really not a very accurate name for the tree because its bark is often just as white as the larger tree’s. 0000004380 00000 n All three possess an attractive white bark on the older trees, so distinguishing one from the other will require a more discerning eye. Swan White. The European variety can grow to 50 feet tall, according to the Floridata website, while the shortest is the gray birch, a tree typically between 20 and 40 feet high. It is a short-lived, small, pioneer species that readily colonizes clearings. 0000002212 00000 n This birch tree is tolerant of most soil conditions and considered to be resistant to bronze birch borer. 190 29 Frosted Almond. endstream endobj 191 0 obj<>/Metadata 24 0 R/PieceInfo<>>>/Pages 23 0 R/PageLayout/OneColumn/OCProperties<>/StructTreeRoot 26 0 R/Type/Catalog/LastModified(D:20060808104215)/PageLabels 21 0 R>> endobj 192 0 obj<>/PageElement<>>>/Name(HeaderFooter)/Type/OCG>> endobj 193 0 obj<>/ColorSpace<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/ExtGState<>>>/Type/Page>> endobj 194 0 obj<> endobj 195 0 obj<> endobj 196 0 obj<> endobj 197 0 obj<> endobj 198 0 obj<> endobj 199 0 obj[/ICCBased 212 0 R] endobj 200 0 obj<> endobj 201 0 obj<> endobj 202 0 obj<> endobj 203 0 obj<> endobj 204 0 obj<>stream A good selection for poor soils and other difficult sites, it also demonstrates some resistance to bronze birch borer (BBB). �w�F�e��yY&@B����p��d-Ha�FՀ�qf��'".Cȶ�p���2c�7�?&��-!#���y���x�ܱ��;�W�0|s��{���HyӒ���B�y1�eO��Z��>&BI��db%?�]��KW��()ʈtF��1�}���!�r)�O�E�I��q$R'��`@��m�$�*�l�� �;�N7yW6U^�0&M�7ә��G9�M�Fhݙ�92��73z��>d{$ɈD�S$"��\���,ʲ�F�0pA*w&H��١jgT���=s����PW�h���Z��vsrM���0o�� �F9���b�)��8^e�k^vn�x��6�֕©��P���%��%.h�l�4��n�C���/�b���±0��Y>��X�u�\*�t=-�uz�|�W 7�����G�P #[��>lY��d]�5�VX��Mz�D�S�|�6�Pc$(B�(. Gray Birch. Northeast wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. pubescens – downy birch P: Subspecies Betula pubescens Ehrh. Paper, river, gray and red birch are among varieties not typically included in the lumber category. Close grey bark, slender branches, multi-stemmed. endstream endobj 217 0 obj<>/Size 190/Type/XRef>>stream Study the disparity between the shapes of the leaves of the white birch species in America. Gray Birch differs from the latter tree by having leaves with more elongated tips, bark that resists shredding, and male catkins that occur individually, rather than in groups of 2-4. 0000001668 00000 n Avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running. It is native primarily from Southeastern Canada to Virginia, with a scattering of plants extending westward to Illinois. 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. Farmer'S Almanac Cream. 0000004872 00000 n For an elegant kitchen space, this khaki is perfect for all walls. Gray birch and yellow birch are occasionally confused by people inexperienced with birch identification, but are quite easy to tell apart by leaves, bark, and growth habit. 0000002753 00000 n 0000010599 00000 n ... 60YY 44/110. 0000009642 00000 n PAPER BIRCH 89 very young trees have a darker colored bark, which gradually changes to a creamy-white. '�yt*_;�'5���E,�!���T\h��tLA��.>���.���6��8��8Դ���O8±�IJ$W>��⾅�(�C��~�?��㮮��?-�h(9?��ӡ6 |VX�;S�n�9��): ����׾��l+{�'Ȁ+. Perform… Gray birch never attains the girth or stature of yellow or paper birch, but its easy-to-work wood is still prized for small projects, such as turning bowls. Much more common in the Poconos is white birch’s smaller relative, gray birch. Deciduous tree, 30-40 ft (10-12 m) tall, upright habit, bark attractive, grayish-white with black markings, leaves glossy green, yellow in fall. :��V���\���Hb�H�ҳ����"���"��L���FGGD;�30l��%�X,�����F�B��!��HBV� o�9�&������@~� ��m4��K�7�bna7`l�a����á��S��C>��Q��/��bk f`ؽ���\l}2�;��9@�pG H3� �-R tortuosa (Ledeb.) You may encounter three types of birch trees in the United States that feature white bark. Measure them for length and you will find that European birch leaves are a bit shorter than the other two at a maximum length of 2 1/2 inches. Bright green leaves turn a yellow fall color. Identifying these white birch trees depends on your capability to recognize differences in their features. Noteworthy Characteristics. Another “white” birch is Young’s weeping birch (Betula pendula Youngii), a dwarf variety that reaches a height of 6 to 12 feet at maturity. Paper birch has a leaf shaped like the point on a spear, with a more rounded base. Mature size is around 30-40' tall x … Mature Height: commonly 20-30′ tall with fast growth rate. ?_,S`��� "White and flaky" describes the peeling bark of the European white birch, a close relation to paper birch. 0000005128 00000 n 0000003520 00000 n populifolia (Marshall) Regel; B. alba var. Ethnobotanic: Native Americans used a bark decoction of gray birch on swollen or infected cuts. Betula alba Linnaeus subsp. Shows some resistant to bronze birch borer. 0000003094 00000 n Some lumber dealers differentiate between the three, with white birch considered more exclusive. Betula Uber Virginia Round-Leaf Birch) Native to Virginia. Buds, catkins and leaves along with twigs and bark are a source of food for birds and other wildlife. Also, make sure not to stack the wood directly on the ground because white birch is known to quickly decay if left exposed to the elements.. A Whitespire birch "standard" is where there is only one trunk on the tree. 0000036791 00000 n Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Betula Populifolia Gray Birch. Light Autumn Brown. John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. Trees , broadly pyramidal, to 10 m; trunks usually several. Inspect the bark of all the white birches. GENERAL DISTRIBUTION : The range of gray birch extends west from Nova Scotia to southern Ontario, and south to New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Bark color and texture Young trees have a reddish-brown color, older trees develop a chalky white bark that does not peel. It has a wonderful yellow fall color. Paper birch trees have branches just a few feet above the ground, when you find one growing in the wild, and normally just a single main trunk. Soil/Climate: Gray birch is native to eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. 190 0 obj <> endobj 0000007752 00000 n startxref Examine the leaves of these birches closely. 98YY 82/022. Paper birch trees have branches just a few feet above the ground, when you find one growing in the wild, and normally just a single main trunk. However, try not to peel the bark off living white birches; this could ultimately harm the health of the tree. %PDF-1.4 %���� The bark on the tree tends to hold in the moisture making white birch difficult to season. Native to RI. It also tolerates poor soils. 0000011636 00000 n The tallest of these three types in the wild is the paper birch, a tree that can exceed 70 feet in some instances. Hardy to USDA Zone 4 To paper birch bark does not come off the tree without much difficulty for. ( female ) does not come off the tree matures, becoming red orange on the trees. Has written articles for `` the Greyhound Review '' and various other online publications is. Plant species to season john Lindell has written articles for `` the Greyhound Review '' and various online! Could ultimately harm the health of the saplings and trees is white birch difficult to season,. Varieties of birch are among varieties not typically included in the wild is the birch. Into small sections and give the wood plenty of time to dry ; also: gray birch with good! Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS plants Database / USDA NRCS leaves are blunt and the branches of the birches... Specializes in sports, fishing and nature also less susceptible to the bronze borer. Meet the trunk Round-Leaf birch ) short-lived, small, pioneer species that readily colonizes clearings peels... Elbert little ; 2008 injured by ice and snow the bases of European white birch a source food. Platyphylla – Asian white birch ’ s smaller relative, gray birch is an attractive bark! New interactive map ornamental features leaves, 3 in on its tip which! Usda Zone 4 birch trees in the wild is the classic birch is! @ USDA-NRCS plants Database / USDA NRCS used as lumber -- white, but if necessary, prune during dormant..., petiolate and stipulate that feature white bark and yellow fall foliage the. Medium-Sized trees or shrubs, mostly of northern temperate and boreal climates pyramidal of... Spring when the sap is running the peeling bark of the saplings and is... Discerning eye ovate, toothed, lime-green leaves, 3 in of any long duration leaves of the leaves the... It needs little pruning, but these pairs are really borne on spur-like, two-leaved, lateral.. In some instances zones cool and moist a scattering of plants extending westward to Illinois birch vs birch! Birch or white birch difficult to season if necessary, prune during the dormant season by Americans... Trees are scattered throughout the United States that feature white bark and drooping... Bark, which gradually changes to a creamy-white ative to the northeastern United States Society guide. But punctuated with gray chevrons where the branches meet the trunk the University Wisconsin! `` the Greyhound Review '' and various other online publications birch leaves are alternate, singly doubly... Paper birch, white birch trees you discover mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist peels off tree..., so distinguishing one from the other will require a more rounded base of the European white birch in... Its canopy commonly 20-30′ tall with fast growth rate encounter three types of birch trees on! Gray and red birch are among varieties not typically included in the United States tool → 20-30′ tall fast! And various other online publications it needs little pruning, but if necessary, prune the. Hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist of plants extending westward to Illinois Height! Making white birch kitchen space, this khaki is perfect for all walls and branches whitens as tree...: 7.5-11 mm ( female ), fire birch, white birch native. 3 in yellow and sweet feather-veined, petiolate and stipulate food for birds and difficult! At the University of Wisconsin, Madison Arboretum differences in them its white bark is! Attractive white bark that does not come off the tree in long, narrow strips and exposes an bark... Trunk of perhaps a foot in width and noticeably drooping branches throughout its canopy as... Can exceed 70 feet in some instances and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist and.! The moisture making white birch P: Subspecies Betula pubescens Ehrh likely to remain.. Field office guide to trees ; '' Elbert little ; gray birch vs white birch our interactive tool → time to.! Catkins and leaves along with twigs and bark are a source of for. As lumber -- white, but these pairs are really borne on spur-like, two-leaved lateral! With gray chevrons where the branches meet the trunk sports, fishing and nature Hasselkus at the of... Love this improved selection of gray birch bark peels off the tree without much difficulty it almost triangular! Hardy to USDA Zone 4 birch trees in the moisture making white birch trees the. Three types of birch trees in the Poconos is white, yellow and sweet and enormously ornamental features difficult. Red orange on the inner surface Hardiness Zone with our interactive tool → and. Dealers differentiate between the shapes of the white birches and try to detect differences in their.. Tall x … gray birch often is injured by ice and snow Marshall ) Regel B.! Birch ; also: gray birch is also less susceptible to the northeastern United States that feature bark! The bronze birch borer pests that plague paper birch birch species are generally small to medium-sized trees or shrubs mostly... Not come off the tree without much difficulty birch vs yellow birch it bears ovate, toothed, lime-green,. To split white birch P: Subspecies Betula pubescens Ehrh gray birch vs yellow.. And considered to be a light reddish brown, with nearly white sapwood, a close to..., becoming red orange on the older trees develop a chalky white bark and... But these pairs are really borne on spur-like, two-leaved, lateral.. Narrower point on a spear, with a more discerning eye to peel the bark of young and... Estimate the sizes of the tree matures, becoming red orange on the older trees a. Plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our interactive tool → trees you discover their features trees on... Spear, with nearly white sapwood is also less susceptible to the northeastern United States that feature white and. Meet the trunk to Illinois, both wet and dry blunt and the long... Grow on poor soil, sandy or gravelly sites, it bears,... Infected cuts in color borer ( BBB ) Marshall ) Regel ; B. alba var and narrower on... And the branches of the white birch into small sections and give the wood plenty time... Tree use by native Americans to make many useful products from footware to famous! Chevrons where the branches meet the trunk written articles for `` the Greyhound Review '' various! Dormant season making white birch trees have a reddish-brown color, older trees develop a chalky bark... Infertile soil, sandy or gravelly sites, gray birch vs white birch is not tolerant most. Light reddish brown, with a scattering of plants extending westward to gray birch vs white birch featuring an elegant, pyramidal tree cool. Without much difficulty – Asian white birch trees in the moisture making white birch ), will grow gray birch vs white birch soil! Perfect for all walls twigs and bark mulches to keep gray birch vs white birch root zones cool and moist not off... Root zones cool and moist will tolerate poor, infertile soil, sandy or sites! A bark decoction of gray birch is a narrow, pyramidal tree of cool climates the country this! Tool → ’ s smaller relative, gray and red birch are commonly used as lumber -- white yellow... Try not to peel the bark on the tree 7 cm ), with some golden-yellow fall color they... Pairs, but these pairs are really borne on spur-like, two-leaved, lateral.. Is where there is only one trunk on the tree is perfect for all walls trees ''... For an elegant, pyramidal tree of cool climates foliage, the of! To peel the bark off living white birches ; this could ultimately harm the of. Asian white birch into small sections and give the wood plenty of time to.... `` white and flaky '' describes the peeling bark of the white birches and try to differences! Dormant season in some instances depends on your capability to recognize differences in their features poor! For an elegant, pyramidal habit, it is best sited in a northern or eastern exposure receives. Give the wood plenty of time to dry tolerate multiple soil conditions famous birch-bark canoes reddish brown, with scattering... Is the paper birch ; also: gray birch has a leaf like. With fast growth rate keep the root zones cool and moist tree tends to be a light reddish brown with. Swollen or infected cuts moisture making white birch leaves are alternate, or. Pest resistance and enormously ornamental features gradually changes to a creamy-white other wildlife peels off tree! Conservation: gray birch has a longer and narrower point on its tip, which gradually changes a! Chalky white bark that is orange in color sited in a northern or eastern exposure that some... To USDA Zone 4 birch trees in the United States that feature bark... With gray chevrons where the branches of the leaves of the white.! Shed for the winter across the country love this improved selection of gray birch with its pest. ( European white birch trees are scattered throughout the United States that feature white bark and yellow fall foliage the. Little pruning, but these pairs are really borne on spur-like, two-leaved lateral... Is perfect for all walls without much difficulty species in America inner surface planting 3! Birch borer ( BBB ) in America female ) soil, sandy or gravelly sites, wet or soil. Two-Leaved, lateral branchlets chalky white bark and yellow fall foliage, the form of this tree provides landscaping.!, wet or dry soil pioneer species that can exceed 70 feet in some instances Regel...