Prairie Dream Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera 'Varen'
Height: 40 feet
Spread: 30 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 1b
Other Names: White Birch, Canoe Birch
Description:
A selection of paper birch with snow-white peeling bark and gold fall colour; more adaptable and stress-tolerant than the species; a great accent tree, and one of the best for winter value
Ornamental Features
Prairie Dream 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
Prairie Dream 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.
Prairie Dream Paper Birch is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- Shade
Planting & Growing
Prairie Dream Paper Birch will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 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 prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species.