Other Names:  White Birch, Canoe Birch

Description:

The king of the northern birches, with snow-white peeling bark and gold fall colour; needs adequate moisture and well-drained soils; a great accent tree, and one of the best for winter value

Ornamental Features

Paper Birch has dark green deciduous foliage on a tree with an oval habit of growth. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. The peeling white bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Paper Birch is a deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have fully developed, as it may 'bleed' sap if pruned in late winter or early spring. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Paper Birch is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

Paper Birch will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America.