Scientific Name:
Betula papyrifera
Pronunciation:
BET-yoo-luh pap-ih-RIFF-er-uh
Common Name:
paper birch
Family Name:
Betulaceae
Plant Type:
Tree - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Leaves dark green, most blades ovate, 7-11cm long x 5-7cm wide; irregularly serrate-small toothed; male catkins pendulous, 10-20cm long, yellow, Mar-Apr; female catkins 2-3cm long, green. Winter ID: bark has dark spots or checks (not as white on older trees compared to B. utilis var. jacquemontii); most twigs end with immature male catkins instead of a terminal bud; lateral buds conical, 7-9mm long, gummy, green to red-brown.
Habit:
Stiffly upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
10 - 15m
Mature Spread:
7 - 10m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
North America
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 2: (-46 to -40 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Specimen plant, Winter interest
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acuminate
Bases:
Cordate, Obtuse
Margins:
Double serrate
Inflorescence Type:
Catkin (ament)
Flower Morphology:
Monoecious plant
Number Of Petals:
0
Colour (petals):
Not showy, Yellow, Green (Female catkins green, non-pendulous)
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Mar, Apr
Fruit Type:
Nut
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Many small winged nutlets form on the cone-like female catkin axis that shatters when ripe.
Bark Morphology:
Showy, Papery
Bark or Stem Colour:
White
Leaf Bud Type:
Conical (long-pointed)
Leaf Scar Shape:
Crescent shaped
Organ Modifications:
Ectomycorrhizae
Propagation:
Seed, Cuttings
Pest Susceptibility:
Beetles or weevils, Leaf miner insect, Stem borer insects (Deer resistant, Drought tolerant)
Specific Pests:
High susceptibility to bronze birch borer
Course(s):
- AARB 1012
- HORT 1155
- Level 3 Apprenticeship
- CLT Training
Location(s):
- (BHE) Boulevard by Hwy. 10 Eastend : 402, 413
- (GAZ) GAZebo
- (GAZS) GAZebo South : q. 1