It also is known as the canoe birch or white birch. Although it prefers full sun, the Japanese White Birch thrives in northern and eastern exposures that receivs some afternoon shade. Cherry birch is a large tree that grows from a single main trunk. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). This tree grows best in medium to wet, well-drained, sandy or rocky loam. This compendium is provided for reference and is not the only source of relevant information that may be considered when making decisions about tree species feasibility and suitability. European white birch trees have a slender trunk of perhaps a foot in width and noticeably drooping branches throughout its canopy. Buds, catkins and leaves along with twigs and bark are a source of food for birds and other wildlife. The soft, yellowish- or reddish-white wood is commercially important in construction and in the manufacture of vehicles, furniture, and small articles such as spoons and snowshoes. Still, what the author of a mushroom book considers a “look-alike” is often very different than what a novice in the field optimistically hopes is the mushroom that’ll fulfill their quest. Leaves: Alternate, Simple, Toothed The beautiful bark and leaves make birches a common choice in landscaping, but they are relatively short-lived trees when compared to other hardwoods. 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. The leaves are ovoid and the flowers are yellow. The ornamental interest of Himalayan birch includes pretty spring flowers, rich yellow fall color, and bright white papery bark. This tree grows best in medium to wet, well-drained, sandy or rocky loam. However, the roots might head for your plumbing pipes if a large tree is planted too close to your house. It is one of the only truly heat-tolerant birches. The various species of birch trees in the Betula genus include at least 12 that are important landscape trees. Whilst Betula are mostly known for having white bark, we also offer newer varieties with blush, ginger, cream and red coloured bark. 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. Omissions? Exact details such as growing zones and height will depend on the particular variety. River birch may also be known as red birch, black birch, or water birch. Birch polypore grows primarily on birch trees, and has no look-alikes. The usual lifespan of the birch is 40-50 years. Whether you plant European white birch (Betula pendula) or paper birch (Betula papyrifera), your pruners will sit on the shelf most of the time. Paper birch, (Betula papyrifera), ornamental, shade, and timber tree of the family...…. Four birch tree species (Betula costata, B. pendula, B. platyphylla, B. pubescens) are traditionally important resource species in Russia. There are about 60 different species of birch. The trees are slender, with their trunks not normally exceeding a diameter of 40 cm. A main requirement is consistently moist soil. Most birches are characterized by distinctive bark with papery plates; the appearance of the bark often is the feature that gives the species its common names. Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, Herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist with decades of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. It may grow either as a single-trunk tree or a multi-trunk clumping tree. To view each birch tree image in full size, just click on the photo you like to enlarge the tree picture.. Tree Types. It has distinctive salmon-pink to reddish-brown bark that exfoliates to reveal lighter inner bark providing year round interest in the landscape. Inspect the bark of all the white birches. It is found principally in the northeast part of Iowa, extending southwestward to Eldora. 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. The cap grows to be between 2 inches and 8 inches in diameter, with a white, tan or gray-brown surface. Fraxinus americana, White Ash; Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Green Ash; Fraxinus nigra, Black Ash; Magnolia spp., Magnolias; Quercus alba, White Oak; Quercus macrocarpa, Bur Oak; Quercus nigra, Water Oak; Quercus rubra, Northern Red Oak; Pinus elliottii, Slash Pine; Pinus strobus, Eastern White Pine; Taxodium distichum, Bald Cypress; Ulmus americana, American Elm One species of white birch, B. pubescens, is a tree about 18 m (60 feet) tall and is native to Eurasia. The tree derives its name from its nature of easily peeling off, or flaking like a parchment of paper. The Paper Bark birch demonstrates some resistance to the bronze birch borer.Â. jacquemontii), Japanese White Birch (Betula platyphylla 'Japanica'), Silver Birch (Betula pendula or B. verrucosa), Water Birch (Betula occidentalis or Betula fontinalis), 10 Species of Linden Trees for Your Landscape, 40 Species of Pines From Around the World, 12 Trees With Brilliant Fall Color Plus Other Advantages, 12 Common Species of Willow Trees and Shrubs, 9 Recommended Species of Serviceberry Trees and Shrubs. It will grow in a variety of conditions, though it favors wet but well-drained sites with a rocky, nutrient-poor, acidic soil. Paper birch is not a large tree in Iowa and is used primarily for ornamental plantings. Other articles where European white birch is discussed: Fagales: Betulaceae: pendula (silver birches) and B. nana (dwarf birches) are circumboreal (i.e., extending to the northern limit of the tree line); the two species very nearly coincide in their ranges, with the dwarf birches extending farther into the Arctic. The bark is usually bright in colour, from red on very young stems to becoming white/silver with age. Insect pests are most likely to strike a birch tree in areas where it is wounded or diseased. • Gray Birch (Betula populifolia) - A small tree; only in extreme eastern Ontario. The name white birch also refers to paper birch. In young trees the bark is reddish-brown, but this changes to white as they mature. Other names for this tree include bog birch and arctic birch. Paper birch is named for the tree's thin white bark, which often peels in paper like layers from the trunk. Paper White 1 1/2 - 3' Birch In spring the bright green leaves appear, lightly covering the tree; in summer the leaves turn an emerald green and … The bark, on mature trees, develops vertical cracks that form irregular scaly plates, closely resembling the bark of cherry trees. The European white birch (B. pendula, sometimes erroneously called B. alba), also known as silver birch or common birch, has slender, drooping branches and small, sharp-pointed leaves about 6 cm (2 inches) long. This is the best maple tree bark identification characteristic you can find out there. But birches still make excellent, fast-growing landscape specimens, provided you have realistic expectations. Scopri quale personaggio del cinema rappresenta la tua vera natura di fundraiser. 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. Weeping white birch, or silver birch as it is also called, is the European birch, Betula pendula. The cut-leaved, purple-leaved, and weeping birches are popular ornamental varieties of European white birch. They are typically small to medium-sized trees and shrubs found in temperate zones in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a medium-sized tree with a single trunk that quickly branches out into a pyramid shape. Trees that have scaly bark are shagbark hickory, strawberry tree, maple and river birch. It has a clear, straight trunk and thin, rounded crown. Paper birch bark peels off the tree in long, narrow strips and exposes an inner bark that is orange in color. It is found everywhere in Ontario except for along the shore of Hudson Bay. It is a heartier and longer-lived tree in cooler climates. Yellow birch may be known regionally as swamp birch, curly birch, gold birch, or hard birch. long (7 cm), with some golden-yellow fall color before they shed for the winter. The white bark of silver birch sheds in layers like tissue paper and becomes black and rugged at the base. The mushrooms are round but connect to the tree at a narrow point, and so they often appear horseshoe-shaped. Broken twigs emit a spicy wintergreen fragrance and fermented sap is an ingredient in birch beer. It can grow either as a single-trunk tree or in small clumps with multiple trunks. Himalayan Birch (Betula utilis var. The Japanese white birch (B. platyphylla japonica), an 18-metre tree native to eastern Asia, has broad leaves about 7 cm long; its hard, yellow-white wood is used for furniture and woodenware. Birch species are normally small to medium-size trees or shrubs, mostly of temperate climates and boreal zones of the northern hemisphere. Birch is deciduous tree that belongs to the family Betulaceae. Furrowed : This bark is the most common type of bark out there, and this is what most people think of when you talk about tree bark. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. Tree Galleries on the left give you information about the specific tree type and lots of great pictures of that tree. The white birch is a medium sized tree that can grow up to 25 meters tall. They now occupy most areas that were glaciated… 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. This tree is a source of food and lodge material for the common North American beaver. Birch species are generally small to medium-size trees or shrubs, mostly of temperate climates. Do not let this deter you though; these are magnificent trees and should definitely be considered for inclusion in your landscape. This tree can grow to be about 50 feet to 80 feet tall, and need that full sun with a hint of shade for the greatest results. This tree has other common names, including white-barked Himalayan birch and Jacquemonti birch. Various White Birch Trees (Source Links at Bottom of Article) Русский: Игорь Шпиленок, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikipedia; Nicholas A. Tonelli Flickr, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Birch trees have been specially bred for ornamental purposes for over a hundred years, resulting in an astounding number of birch … Broadleaf trees have flowers that contain the reproductive organs, and … White birch is a medium-sized tree, with most in the wild growing to heights between 50 and 70 feet. Water birch typically occurs along streams in mountainous regions, where it grows in dense thickets. Here are 11 common types of birch trees for your landscape. Gray birch bark does not come off the tree without much difficulty. This tree also attracts beautiful butterflies to the landscape, but is resistant to the bronze birch borer which can devastate other species of birch. Birch trees thrive in moist soil and full sunlight. 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