White Birch Betula pendula
Native Range
Native Range
Leaves
- The leaves are 1-2.5" (2.5-6cm) long and 1-1.5" (2.5-4cm) wide
- The are almost triangular in shape, but not as much as the Gray Birch
- The tip is very long and pointed and the base is almost straight across
Bark
- The bark is generally very smooth and white
- Easily removed by peeling and makes a great fire starter as it burns rapidly
- The twigs are drooping, slender and have small resin gland-dot
Fruit
Height
- The cones are 0.75-1.5" (2-4cm) long, cylindrical, green at first, but brown when ripe
- When ripe, they break apart very easily into small nutlets with two wings and bracts with three lobes
Height
- The tree grows to be 50' (15m) tall and has a spreading crown of drooping branches, similar to other birches like the Gray Birch
commercial value
- The bark is often used as a fire starter because it burns even when its wet. Native Americans also used the bark to cover their canoes. They also used it to make baskets, baby carriers, mats, torches and moose calls. Because the wood was strong and flexible it was made into spears, bows and arrows, snowshoes and sleds. The wood is now used for building lumber to make veneer, pulpwood and plywood. Syrup, wine, beer, and medicinal tonics are made from the sap.
Gray Birch
Betula populifolia
Native Range
Leaves
- The leaves are approximately 2-3" (5-7.5cm) long and 1.5-2.5" (4-6cm) wide
- They are very triangular in shape, doubly saw-toothed and have a pointed tip
- The stalks are slender and have black gland-dots on them
- The leaves are shiny green on top and the bottoms are paler with small bunches of hair present
Bark
- The bark is not as bright as the European White Birch, but does have a duller white color with gray horizontal rings and lines mixed in
- It is dull and smooth, but not as smooth as the European White Birch
- The twigs are brown and have gland-dots as well
Fruit
Height
- The cones are cylindrical, 0.75-1.25" (2-3cm) long, green at first, brown when ripe
- When ripe, the cones easily break and crumble into hairy scales and hairy 2-winged nutlet
Height
- The tree is 30' (9m) tall, has shorter and less droopy branches as the European White Birch
commercial Value
- Used for Wigwam covers and canoe making
Yellow BirchBetula alleghaniensis
Native Range
Native Range
Leaves
- The leaves are alternate, ovate, 6-12 cm long and 4-9 cm broad, with a finely serrated margin
Bark
Height
- The bark is smooth, yellow-bronze, flaking in fine horizontal strips, and often with small black marks and scars
- The twigs, when scraped, have a slight scent of oil of wintergreen, though not as strongly so as the related Sweet Birch
Height
- It is a medium-sized deciduous tree reaching 20 m tall (exceptionally to 30 m) with a trunk up to 80 cm diameter
Commercial Value
- The wood of Betula alleghaniensis is extensively used for flooring, cabinetry and toothpicks.