Birch

Edward F. Gilman, Deborah Hilbert, Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan Klein, Andrew Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert, andDrew C. McLean

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

A North American native, 'Heritage' river birch can grow 50 to 80 feet tall but is often seen at 40 to 50 feet. It will grow about 30 inches or more each year in USDA hardiness zone 7, faster in the South. It has a narrow, pyramidal to oval crown with many fine branches when young, spreading wider and becoming more oval with age, with several branches eventually becoming dominant. It has scaly, beige or creamy white bark, which remains an attractive pinkish-white for a longer period of time than the species. The leaves are generally shaped like a triangle.

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

A native to northern areas that is grown for its beautiful white bark. An additional ornamental trait is the yellow fall leaf color. The tree is best adapted to wet and moist sites—watch out for pests if grown in an unsuitable site. The tree will grow to 50 feet or more and spread about half that amount. Paper birch has excellent cold tolerance and will grow in USDA hardiness zone 2. It is rarely successful in zones warmer than USDA hardiness zone six. In landscapes it may be grown as a single-stemmed tree or in a multi-stemmed clump.

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

European birch is graceful and ornamental with wonderful yellow fall color but is susceptible to fatal attacks of bronze birch borer. The leaves are often browned by birch leaf miner. When grown, plan to provide the necessary insect control and provide the necessary cultural conditions for best growth. European birch grows rapidly, reaching a height of 35 to 75 feet. Lawn grasses grow well in its light shade. A moist soil and a regular fertilization program plus watering in dry weather are suggested.

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

Young's weeping European birch is graceful, weeping ornamental with wonderful yellow fall color but is susceptible to fatal attacks of bronze birch borer. The leaves are often browned by birch leaf miner. When grown, plan to provide the necessary insect control and provide the necessary cultural conditions for best growth. It grows moderately with a variable height, depending on how it was trained. Some specimens appear sloppy, others more tailored. Lawn grasses grow fairly well in its light shade.

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

A small, North American native tree, gray birch reaches 20- to 30-feet in height with a 10- to 20-foot spread, often forming loose, open thickets in the wild but easily trained to a single, slender trunk with an irregular, upright, pyramidal silhouette. The glossy, dark green leaves on reddish-brown twigs are triangular-shaped, 2.5- to 3.5-inches long, and turn a lovely yellow color in autumn before dropping. Both male and female catkins, or blooms, appear on the same tree, eventually producing a small cylindrical cone, with the male catkins persisting on the trees well into the winter.