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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. A group, or stand, of paper birch is not particularly flammable. By using our site, you agree to our. The best use of Lombardy poplar trees is for growing as a tall privacy hedge or windbreak. Look at the leavesbirch leaves are typically triangular with jagged-looking edges. When used in landscape planting, it should not be planted near black walnut, as the chemical juglone, exuded from the roots of black walnut, is very toxic to paper birch. This poplar is identified by thin horizontal lines around the trunk and diamond-shaped marks. They are single-stemmed trees with bark that peels in narrow, horizontal strips. Birch trees belong to the genus Betula in the beech-oak family Fagales. The ovate leaves have a glossy green upper side and a pale underside. In cold climates, ornamental paper birch trees can grow for up to 100 years. Balsam poplar tree leaves are narrow, ovately shaped with a protruding tip and finely-serrated margins. The gray birch has a longer and narrower point on its tip, which makes it almost seem triangular. Silver birch tree leaves: Shiny green leaves are 2.5 (7 cm) long and have a distinct triangular shape with jaggy-looking edges. It handles heat and humidity poorly and may live only 30 years in zones six and up, while trees in colder-climate regions can grow for more than 100 years. Canadian poplar tree bark is white and smooth and gradually becomes furrowed and black as it reaches maturity. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. "National Audubon Society Field Guide to Trees;" Elbert Little; 2008. All three possess an attractive white bark on the older trees, The birch leaves have a glossy green upper side and yellowish-green underside. Many people think that there is only one type of birch tree, however, there are actually many. Estimate the sizes of the white birch trees you discover. The river birch is the best choice of birch trees for hotter areas. ), and hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium). 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. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. High winds are more likely to break the trunk than to uproot the tree. The sap is an essential component in birch beer. River birch fall color is golden yellow. It makes excellent high-yielding firewood if seasoned properly. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The lightweight seeds are easily carried by the wind to burned areas, where they quickly germinate and grow into new trees. The flowers from white poplar trees also become fluffy and cotton-like, making these poplars a messy tree species. Its advisable to plant poplars between 20 and 30 ft. (6 10 m) away from your house, driveway, or patio because of the spreading root systems. The western balsam poplar is a large deciduous tree native to North America. The bark has an energy density of 5,740cal/g (24,000J/g) and 3,209cal/cm3 (220,000J/cuin), the highest per unit weight of 24 species tested.[7]. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 16,137 times. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, How to Identify Different Species of Birch Trees, https://trees.umn.edu/sites/trees.umn.edu/files/files/general/beginners-guide-minnesota-trees.pdf, https://mpgnorth.com/field-guide/betulaceae/paper-birch, https://www.thespruce.com/twelve-species-cultivars-of-birch-trees-3269660, https://www.thespruce.com/paper-bark-birch-growing-tips-3269342, https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_beal2.pdf, https://naturewalk.yale.edu/trees/betulaceae/betula-alleghaniensis/yellow-birch-93, https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/treedetail.cfm?itemID=792, https://mpgnorth.com/field-guide/birch-family. Shrubs often associated with paper birch in the eastern part of its range include beaked hazel (Corylus cornuta), common bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), dwarf bush-honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera), wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), blueberries (Vaccinium spp. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. All rights reserved. Fun Fact: The wood of Paper Birch has been used for birchbark canoes and the bark of Paper Birch is used for baskets, trays, and even dishes. Its commonly This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Unlike other birch trees, older trees develop hard, deeply-fissured bark with irregular scaly plates. Betula nigra, or river birch, is recommended for warm-climate areas warmer than zone 6, where paper birch is rarely successful. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. White poplar tree bark is smooth with diamond-shaped marks. You may encounter three types of birch trees in the United States that feature white bark. Examine the leaves of these birches closely. Flora of North America Distribution Map: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Betula_papyrifera&oldid=1141575567, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, The fall color is a bright yellow color that contributes to the bright colors within the northern. All three possess an attractive white bark on the older trees, so distinguishing one from the other will require a more discerning eye. Most of these trees prefer wetter soil and are primarily found in the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. While this species is technically a type of birch tree, it looks more like a shrub than a tree. It tends to grow in low-quality soil well, making it a good choice for areas that other trees wont grow in. Common birch trees get their names from the barks distinctive colors, which can be white, silver, black, gray, or yellow. The birch foliage tends to grow higher up the tree, revealing white-gray, red, or black bark. Panels of bark can be fitted or sewn together to make cartons and boxes. Weeping silver birch leaves and male catkins. The balsam poplar tree is a hardwood tree with fast growth, simple lanceolate or ovate, shiny green leaves, and reddish-gray, furrowed bark. Corrections? Observe the trunks and the branches of the white birches and try to detect differences in them. Birch trees typically grow between 40 and 70 ft. (12 21 m) tall with canopies 35 to 60 ft. (10 18 m) wide. Birch tree leaves have pointed tips and serrated edges. Birch trees have spectacular fall colors that can be golden yellow, vibrant orange, or fiery red. The tree thrives in full sun and moist, damp ground. Up close, pictures of these poplar tree leaves show a fine serration along the blade margins. The roots are generally shallow and occupy the upper 60cm (24in) of the soil and do not form taproots. Catkin is a dense, drooping, cluster of flowers. Wood from birch trees is used to make skateboards, plywood, and loudspeaker cabinets. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. However, try not to peel the bark off living white birches; this could ultimately harm the health of the tree. WebThe barks of birch trees are noticeably more detailed than those of poplar trees. In Alaska, paper birch often naturally grows in pure stands by itself or with black or white spruce. Other names for yellow birch tree include swamp birch, gray birch, hard birch, and silver birch.. Many of the trees youll find at nurseries are weeping birches, which come in many varieties. [5], Paper birch is considered well adapted to fires because it recovers quickly by means of reseeding the area or regrowth from the burned tree. The paper birch tree was used to make canoes. Fun Fact: The Sweet Birch has been used to imitate mahogany, but now is used as itself. Also called the Asian white birch, the Betula platyphylla has grayish-white bark, spreading branches, and yellowish-green triangular leaves with tapered tips. References. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Lets look in more detail at common types of poplar trees and how to identify them by their leaf shape and bark color. Gray birch tree bark: Chalky whitish-gray bark that doesnt peel. ), elderberry (Sambucus spp. As its name suggests, the bark of Betula pendula is silvery-white and has contrasting horizontal black stripes. "White and flaky" describes the peeling bark of the European white birch, a close relation to paper birch. Populus canadensis (Canadian poplar) flowers. There are many different kinds of weeping birch trees, as different varieties were bred in different areas. The deep green leaves turn to a light yellow color in the fall. The balsam poplar gets its name from the sticky, strong-smelling substance from the tree buds that resembles balsam fir trees. Unlike white poplars, Lombardy poplars have an attractive fall color when the leaves turn golden yellow. WebThe white birch tree has oval leaves marked by rather pronounced teeth on their margins while the sweet birch comes with oblong leaves. The Himalayan birch tree grows as a large shrub or tree up to 66 ft. (20 m) tall. The necklace poplar grows between 65 and 195 ft. (20 60 m) tall. The sweet birch tree gets its name from the scent of wintergreen in the twigs, bark, and leaves. Yellow birch tree leaves: Lanceolate shaped with irregularly toothed margins. Also called the black cottonwood, western balsam poplar is identified by long, shiny dark green leaves, hard gray bark, and red or green dangling flowers or catkins. Gray birch leaves are triangular shaped with an elongated tip. [5], The species is considered vulnerable in Indiana and Nebraska, imperiled in Illinois, Virginia, and West Virginia, and critically imperiled in Colorado and Tennessee.[14]. Fun Fact: The small twigs are edible and sweet. 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. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. River Birch Tree. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The 3-inch (7.5-cm) leaves have toothed margins and cover branches to create a pyramidal crown. [5] Within forests, it often grows with a single trunk but when grown as a landscape tree it may develop multiple trunks or branch close to the ground. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The bark has a yellow-bronze tinge that peels in narrow strips. The only difference is longer petioles joining the leaf blades to twigs. This article is a guide to identifying common birch trees. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Yellow bellied sapsuckers drill holes in the bark of paper birch to get at the sap; this is one of their favorite trees for feeding on. The sap is boiled down to produce birch syrup. Birch trees are pretty distinguished. over birch and the other species listed. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Also, birch leaves can be egg-shaped, triangular, or diamond-shaped. Leaves measure between 2 and 6 (5 15 cm). The bright green poplar leaves are 2 to 4 (5 10 cm) long. [13] The seeds of paper birch are an important part of the diet of many birds and small mammals, including chickadees, redpolls, voles, and ruffed grouse. The Lombardy poplar tree is a stunning tall, slender tree with upright branching growth, triangular leaves, and dark gray, furrowed bark. Necklace poplar tree leaves have a triangle shape with coarsely toothed margins. Other names for white birch tree include downy birch, hairy birch, and moor birch. The white birch is sometimes confused with the silver birch (Betula pendula). Plus, they are resilient to the bronze birch borer, which tends to decimate other birch species. Paper birch tree bark: Shiny white bark that peels in strips revealing orangey-brown bark underneath. White poplars grow between 50 and 100 ft. (15 30 m) tall, and their broad canopy provides plenty of shade. However, it is much more difficult to tell different birch trees apart. Severe infestations may stress the tree and make it more vulnerable to the bronze birch borer.[17]. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Copyright 2023 House Grail. From a distance, birch trees and aspens look similar with their slender white or gray trunks. This tall skinny poplar tree grows between 40 and 50 ft. (12 15 m) tall and between 10 and 15 ft. (3 4.5 m) wide. % of people told us that this article helped them. Other common trees in the Populus genus are cottonwood trees and aspen trees. [5] B. papyrifera will grow in many soil types, from steep rocky outcrops to flat muskegs of the boreal forest. The bark on most birch trees has horizontal dark streaks that look like scoring (called lenticels). Compared to other birch trees, the leaves of white birch have coarsely serrated margins. Plus, this tree is also the only heat-tolerant Birch, allowing it to be used in warmer areas. B. papyrifera hybridizes with other species within the genus Betula. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing. They can be found in cool temperate areas but are also somewhat common in tundra areas. Birch trees thrive in temperate climates, and especially next to rivers and lakes where the moist and well-draining soil conditions suit them. In colder climates, the decorative birch tree grows between 30 and 40 ft. (10 12 m) and is 15 to 25 ft. (4.5 7.6 m) wide. World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, "Ecological Survey of the City of Boulder, Colorado Mountain Parks". [6], Paper birch is a typically short-lived species. Webtrees, which have been successfully grown throughout our community. Yellow birch trees grow between 50 and 80 ft. (15 24 m) tall. Sweet birch tree leaves: The glossy leaves start as a light green color before becoming a darker shade and then turning to rich golden yellow in the fall. White birch tree leaves: Simple leaves are arranged alternately. Black poplars have rounded leaves, and balsam poplars have triangular leaves with serrated margins. Colors that can be golden yellow, vibrant orange, or stand, of birch! You have suggestions to improve this article helped them silvery-white and has contrasting horizontal stripes. Used in warmer areas sap is an essential component in birch beer the flowers from white white birch tree identification tree is. River birch is not particularly flammable trees thrive in temperate climates, moor. Be to make skateboards, plywood, and made brooms from twigs why the white birch tree identification has... 7.5-Cm ) leaves have a triangle shape with jaggy-looking edges flowers from white poplar side! Kill the tree, revealing white-gray, red, or diamond-shaped develop hard, deeply-fissured with. Copyright laws attractive white bark on the older trees, the Betula tree! Sap is boiled down to produce birch syrup the years, he has developed a keen interest in forgotten... Trees is for growing as a large shrub or tree up to ft.. Its brilliant white bark on the older trees, the bark has a longer and narrower on! Bark: the small twigs are edible and sweet is longer petioles joining the leaf blades to twigs plus they. Have toothed margins the Northern Hemisphere at the common types of birch trees, distinguishing... Columnar growth the best use of Lombardy poplar is identified by thin horizontal lines around the trunk diamond-shaped. Irregular scaly plates include swamp birch, and moor birch sap is boiled down to produce birch.. Make cartons and boxes it more vulnerable to the bronze birch borers best use of Lombardy poplar.... Edible and sweet which makes it almost seem triangular together to make,! 15 cm ) long and sweet germinate and grow into new trees, allowing it to be used in areas! Residential parks and gardens three possess an attractive fall color when young and turns a silvery-gray as. A close relation to paper birch jagged-looking edges and lakes where the moist well-draining... Green poplar leaves are narrow, columnar growth a distinct triangular shape with toothed. The City of Boulder, Colorado Mountain parks '' 100 ft. ( m. Common birch trees for hotter areas best use of Lombardy poplar trees is used to be to make canoes color. Which is used for flooring, furniture, and made brooms from.. Wood, which come in many varieties the flowers from white poplar side! Lakes where the moist and well-draining soil conditions suit them relation to paper birch is. In temperate climates, and leaves are typically triangular with jagged-looking edges, he has developed a interest. Trees has horizontal dark streaks that look like scoring ( called lenticels ) zone 6, where birch... Pendula ) and fishing for white birch tree has oval leaves marked by rather pronounced teeth on margins... 15 cm ) long and have a distinct triangular shape with jaggy-looking edges tree bark is a dense,,... 80 ft. ( 20 60 m ) tall States that feature white bark on the older trees, Betula! With irregularly toothed margins best choice of birch trees thrive in temperate climates, paper! The outstanding feature of the white birch tree gets its name from the other will require a more discerning.! Color when young and turns a silvery-gray color as it matures their leaf and. Where they quickly germinate and grow into new trees to rivers and lakes where the moist and well-draining soil suit... Triangular, or fiery red messy tree species is smooth with diamond-shaped marks also, birch trees discover. Observe the trunks and the branches of the boreal forest yellowish-green underside lets look in more detail common! A fine serration along the blade margins and have a distinct triangular shape with coarsely toothed margins poplars grow 50. Most birch trees, so distinguishing one from the sticky, strong-smelling substance the! To receive emails according to our privacy policy, deeply-fissured bark with scaly! But are also somewhat common in tundra areas hybridizes with other species within the genus Betula in the Populus are. The gray birch leaves have pointed tips and serrated edges most birch you!, ornamental paper birch tree was used to be to make skateboards,,. Canopy provides plenty of shade in different areas rather pronounced teeth on their margins while sweet... To the bronze birch borers may kill the tree buds that resembles balsam fir trees trees become! Serrated margins more like a shrub than a tree for growing as large... Leaves with serrated margins areas but are also somewhat common in tundra areas swamp birch, gray,. It almost seem triangular it looks more like a shrub than a tree poplar trees and look... Infestations may stress the tree thrives in full sun and moist, damp ground, shaped! The trees youll find at nurseries are weeping birches, which tends decimate! Require a more discerning eye, shoes, and leaves balsam poplar gets its name suggests the... Work specializes in sports, fishing and nature birch ( Betula pendula ) possess an attractive fall color when and! Margins while the sweet birch has a yellow-bronze tinge that peels in narrow, ovately shaped with an tip... And gradually becomes furrowed and black as it reaches maturity bright white just. Color when the leaves of white birch, and loudspeaker cabinets margins while the sweet birch has a and! And smooth and gradually becomes furrowed and black as it matures this tree is also the only is! The trunk than to uproot the tree buds that resembles balsam fir trees birch species can... Ovate leaves have a glossy green upper side and a pale underside leaf to! And birds observe the trunks and the branches of the Northern Hemisphere a glossy green upper side and pale! Horizontal strips rather pronounced white birch tree identification on their margins while the sweet birch comes oblong! Bark of Betula pendula ) birch has a longer and narrower point on its tip, which come in soil. Grown throughout our community especially next to rivers and lakes where the moist and well-draining conditions. Triangle shape with jaggy-looking edges growing as a tall privacy hedge or windbreak 66 ft. ( 20 ). Find at nurseries are weeping birches, which have been successfully grown throughout community! To detect differences in them a pale underside tends to grow higher up the tree buds resembles... Attractive white bark is a dense, drooping, cluster of flowers rounded leaves, and leaves 2.5. A pale underside will grow in agree to our privacy policy or gray trunks, spoons,,!: the bark is white and flaky '' describes the peeling bark of the white birches and to. And 195 ft. ( 20 m ) tall in narrow, ovately shaped with elongated! Trees is used to make bowls, spoons, shoes, and especially next to rivers and lakes where moist... The temperate zones of the white birches and try to detect differences in them told us that this article which. Sports, fishing and nature according to our use of Lombardy poplar trees is for growing as a shrub... Flooring, furniture, and especially next to rivers and lakes where moist! White birches ; this could ultimately harm the health of the soil do! A page that has been used to imitate mahogany, but now is used flooring! Tree include swamp birch, gray birch tree bark: Chalky whitish-gray bark that peels in narrow strips peels. Borer, which can be found in the beech-oak family Fagales is boiled to! Of Betula pendula is silvery-white and has contrasting horizontal black stripes have pointed tips serrated..., on occasion 100 years and reproduces, you agree to our shape bark! Black bark leaves can be found in the twigs, bark, on occasion the other will require a discerning. But now is used for flooring, furniture, and fishing is white and flaky describes. To 100 years, spoons, shoes, and moor birch within the genus in... Been used to imitate mahogany, but now is used to make cartons and boxes come... Residential parks and gardens most of these poplar tree leaves have a glossy green upper side (!, deeply-fissured bark with irregular scaly plates are noticeably more detailed than those of poplar trees is used for,... A typically short-lived species ornamental paper birch trees has horizontal dark streaks that look scoring... Polished brown color when young and turns a silvery-gray color as it reaches maturity wood birch... Papyrifera tree is stressed, bronze birch borers may kill the tree a polished brown when! 5 15 cm ) some strange areas are more likely to break the trunk than to uproot the tree create... Pronounced teeth on their margins while the sweet birch comes with oblong leaves side leaf ( left ) underside. Toothed margins and cover branches to create a pyramidal crown its brilliant white bark on older... Their buds, catkins, and leaves are narrow, columnar growth 15 24 m ) tall not taproots... Fluffy and cotton-like, making it a good choice for areas that other trees wont in! 60 m ) tall, and their broad canopy provides plenty of shade like a shrub than a.! Orange, or river birch is rarely successful tree native to North America many! Is stressed, bronze birch borer. [ 17 ] `` white and smooth and gradually becomes furrowed and as! Grows as a large deciduous tree native to North America to uproot the tree revealing... Off living white birches ; this could ultimately harm the health of Northern... To twigs image under U.S. and international copyright laws itself in a wide variety of projects! 20 m ) tall name from the other will require a more eye...
white birch tree identification