| Fast-growing Birch trees are attractive year-round. Their light green foliage turns yellow in fall. Losing their leaves for winter shows off their colorful, peeling bark, thin graceful branches, and hanging cone-like fruit. Young trees have dark-colored bark until their trunks reach 1 inch around. Plant against a darker background or green lawn to highlight pale trunks. Prone to aphids that drip a sticky substance called honeydew, so plant away from patios or car parks. Most thrive in moist sandy or rocky subsoils. Once established, tolerates some heat and dry spells. Prefers winter chill. Water deeply and often, around shallow roots. Prune in winter only after leaves have formed, to prevent sap bleeding. Transplant when dormant. Birch borers and leaf miners are major pests. |
Native Americans once used the white bark to cover their canoes and dwellings. The outer bark peels off to expose reddish-orange inner bark. The airy foliage turns yellow in fall. Thrives in the cool north.
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Attributes - Betula papyrifera
Plant Type: Tree
Foliage: Deciduous
Height: 50 ft. to 100 ft.
Width: 40 ft.
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Climate: Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Notes: Thrives in Acid Soil. Low Maintenance. Susceptible to Aphids, Beetles.
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