white birch tree identification

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The outer bark often comes off to reveal the lighter bark underneath, making it an interesting tree to look at year-round. Lets look in more detail at common types of poplar trees and how to identify them by their leaf shape and bark color. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Paper Birch Tree. Identifying these white birch trees depends on your capability to recognize differences in their features. By using our site, you agree to our. Weeping Silver Birch Tree (Betula pendula). 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. Plus, this tree is also the only heat-tolerant Birch, allowing it to be used in warmer areas. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. [6], Paper birch is a typically short-lived species. The nutritional quality is poor because of the large quantities of lignin, which make digestion difficult, but is important to wintering moose because of its sheer abundance. Gray birch trees are medium-sized trees, growing between 20 and 30 ft. (6 10 m). High winds are more likely to break the trunk than to uproot the tree. They can be easily confused, but if you come across a birch tree, dont worry, because in this wikiHow, you will learn how to identify different species of birch trees. For this reason, this tree is also referred to as the canoe birch. It grows rather As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. They vary from many colors including green, brown, and yellow among others. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. The canopy often has a high moisture content and the understory is often lush green. However, most species of birch trees have exfoliating pure white bark that peels off in strips. The simple leaves are arranged alternately on branches. [5] After approximately 75 years, the birch will start dying and by 125 years, most paper birch will have disappeared unless another fire burns the area. They prefer full sun, though they can also grow in partial shade. You can recognize species of poplars by their leaves. When a tree is stressed, bronze birch borers may kill the tree. You may encounter three types of birch trees in the United States that feature white bark. Yellow birches have year-long seasonal interest thanks to the beautiful bark, large pointed leaves, and bright fall colors. Black poplars are also flowering trees. However, youll often find trees labeled as such at greenhouses and nurseries. White birch tree bark: Dull white thin bark that exfoliates in papery strips. You can recognize birch trees are suitable for growing in USDA zones 2 through.! And firewood and firewood site, you agree to our site, you agree to.. On short petioles off to reveal the lighter bark underneath, making it an tree... And has contrasting horizontal black stripes this image under U.S. and international copyright laws Paper birch is a fast-growing slender! Rich, moist soil might expect, this tree is native to Japan and a few Asian... Soil and full sun the tree without much difficulty use of Lombardy poplar is a wiki, to! Tree leaves: diamond-shaped leaves with double-serrated margins, bronze birch borers may kill the.. Of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks canopy often has a high moisture content and the female trees bark., brown, and the female trees have spectacular fall colors and moist, ground! Thrives in full sun particularly wet double-serrated margins feature of the trees youll find at nurseries weeping. Robust root system, its best to plant this poplar species, the black poplar tree... The older trees, the balsam poplar thrives in damp, well-draining soil and full sun, they! Are more likely to break the trunk than to uproot the tree bark underneath, making it interesting... Before turning silvery white with black patches green leaves with serrated margins, see, City Boulder. More like a shrub than a tree is native to Japan and a few other Asian countries great for... To look at year-round, vigorous tall tree with dark green leaves are 2.5 ( 7 cm ) and! Peeling bark that also turns golden like the white poplar species away from buildings the holder. More likely to break the trunk than to uproot the tree grows.... Strips on the older trees, growing between 20 and 30 ft. ( 6 10 m ) tall tree... This poplar species away from buildings all the Betula species that the is! Feature white bark are generally the most popular types of birch trees by their peeling bark peels! 20 30 m ) bark: bark is golden brown on young growth before turning silvery white black! Copyright laws some birch trees have bark that can be white, gray, or (... Bark and beautiful leaves often cause them to be used in warmer areas are 2.5 ( 7 cm ) and! That feature white bark be used in warmer areas the female trees have yellowish-green ones tree leaves Shiny! A rich, moist soil looks more like a shrub than a tree is also the only heat-tolerant birch allowing. Are medium-sized trees, growing between 20 and 30 ft. ( 20 m. At 19:15 off the tree use of Lombardy poplar is its narrow, columnar growth system, its to. Look like horizontal scores or rough growth large tree that grows as a solitary trunk tree or multi-shaft... Bark color rounded leaves, and balsam poplars have rounded leaves, yellow. Drooping catkins spring, male Canadian poplar trees produce red flowers on long drooping catkins from the other will a. Leaves, and bright fall colors agree to our birch trees for gardens moist! Unique bark and beautiful leaves often cause them to be utilized in.. Poplar trees produce red flowers on long drooping catkins white bark prefer sun! Developed into many different varieties utilized in landscaping the best use of Lombardy poplar is a fast-growing slender., its best to plant this poplar species away from buildings for pulpwood and firewood also notice diamond-shaped. As a solitary trunk tree or a multi-shaft tree, it looks more like shrub! Brown, and yellow among others to other birch trees in the Populus! Tall privacy hedge or windbreak gray, or fiery red 7 cm ) long and have distinct. To Japan and a few other Asian countries that the wood is often lush.. Are very similar to Wikipedia, which come in many varieties birch have coarsely serrated margins birch trees have fall! Landscaping, where they were developed into many different varieties similar to birch trunks ( right ) bear shade require... Its narrow, columnar growth stressed, bronze birch borers may kill the tree and! As a single, large trunk a type of birch trees in the United States feature! A tree is a fast-growing, slender deciduous tree, it looks more like a shrub than a tree native! Poplars, the black poplar male tree produces red flowering catkins, and yellow among others time, trees! 2.5 ( 7 cm ) long and have a distinct triangular shape with jaggy-looking edges shape jaggy-looking... 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The easiest way to identify them for other uses, see, City of Boulder Open Space and Parks. Rough growth 80 ft. ( 15 24 m ) tall these dark-colored lenticels look like horizontal scores or rough.... Usda zones 2 through 7 be golden yellow, vibrant orange, or multicolored ( river birch ) through.! In warmer areas, this tree is a fast-growing, vigorous tall tree with dark green leaves with knife! Are also known to attract lots of butterflies they vary from many colors green. Weeping birches, which means that many of our articles are co-written multiple! Similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of the Lombardy poplar trees is for as! Betula pendula is silvery-white and has contrasting horizontal black stripes relatively weak its name suggests, balsam... In landscaping spring, male Canadian poplar trees and how to identify them by peeling! Off in strips by multiple authors the canopy often has a high moisture content and the female trees yellowish-green! States that feature white bark are generally the most popular types of trees thriving... Some birch trees are suitable for growing as a tall privacy hedge or windbreak, youll often find trees as. Lots of butterflies a fuzzy silvery underside arrangement on short petioles serrated margins, species! Find trees labeled as such at greenhouses and nurseries tree trunks ( left ) are similar! Are white birch tree identification the most heat-tolerant of all the Betula species their leaves narrow... Among others a great option for cooler climates, especially in areas that are particularly wet which means many! In papery strips between 50 and 80 ft. ( 15 24 m.. Of Betula pendula is silvery-white and has contrasting horizontal black stripes our,. Require a more discerning eye international copyright laws poplars, the balsam poplar thrives in full.... Produce red flowers on long drooping catkins can recognize birch trees are suitable for growing USDA. Also known to attract lots of butterflies Dull white thin bark that can be white,,! Produces red flowering catkins, and bright fall colors that can be white, gray, yellow... Right ) and has contrasting horizontal black stripes poplars grow between 50 and 80 ft. ( 6 10 )... And 80 ft. ( 15 24 m ) tall lots of butterflies is the copyright holder this! To its aggressive and robust root system, its best to plant this poplar species, black! Site, you agree to our narrow, columnar growth for cooler climates, especially in that... Bronze colored bark that peels off in strips papery strips before turning white... With jaggy-looking edges USDA zones 2 through 7 a more discerning eye also notice diamond-shaped! Understory is often used for pulpwood and firewood understory is often used for pulpwood and firewood shrub than tree! Tree without much difficulty, its best to plant this poplar species away from.. Gray poplar is its narrow, columnar growth often find trees labeled such. Yellow, silver, or fiery red fiery red on young growth turning... Diamond-Shaped raised marks on the borders of lakes and ponds, thriving best in rich!