Birch Tree ( genusBetula ) are flowering medium - sized deciduous tree with sparse papery bark and egg - shaped pointed leaves . birch rod trees have striking dip colour that can be fortunate jaundiced , vivacious orange , or perfervid red . vulgar birch tree get their name calling from the barque ’s typical color , which can be livid , ash gray , ignominious , grey-haired , or yellow .

Common species of birch include the white birch , silver birch rod , and paper birch rod . Typically , you’re able to identify birch tree trees by their bark , leave , and flowers . For deterrent example , some birches have thin peeling bark that exfoliate in farsighted flight strip , whereas some specie do n’t peel . Also , birch leaves can be eggs - shaped , triangular , or adamant - shaped .

This article is a guide to identifying common birch tree . picture and verbal description of birch rod will serve you take the best eccentric of decorative tree for your garden landscape .

Birch Tree Facts

Birch woods

Birch trees go to the genusBetulain the beech - oak familyFagales . birch rod tree typically grow between 40 and 70 foot . ( 12 – 21 m ) tall with canopy 35 to 60 ft . ( 10 – 18 m ) widely . nanus birch trees aresmall treesthat do n’t grow marvelous than 30 ft . ( 9 m ) , and some only produce 3 ft . ( 1 m ) improbable .

There are between 30 and 60 birch ( Betula)species , with 18 being aboriginal to North America . Birch is a short - lived tree that thrives in inhuman , northerly climates where it grows in moist ground . Birch trees grow best in USDA zones 2 through 7 .

Some mintage of birch have lissome , individual trunks with irregular - shaped canopies . The birch foliage tends to grow higher up the tree , bring out bloodless - gray , ruddy , or smuggled bark . You ’ll also find oneself clumping birch tree tree diagram with multiple trunks growing together from the terra firma .

whitened birch tree trees are also ornamental trees suited for residential landscape .

Birch wood is also prized for its density and strength . Wood from birch trees is used to make skateboards , plywood , and speaker system cabinet . to boot , birch tree is fantabulous firewood because it burn well even if moist .

Birch Tree Leaves

Birch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree folio have pointed confidential information and serrated edge . On the right movie : fall foliage

Birch tree leavesare triangular or egg - shaped with a rounded base , pointed tips , and serrated margins . lustrous immature birch leaves grow between 2 ” and 3 ” ( 5 – 7.5 cm ) long . Thesimple leaf are arranged alternatelyon ramification . In spill , birch leaf turn outstanding ghost of xanthous , crimson , and orange .

There are some subtle remainder in folio shape between species of birch . For instance , white birch trees have more pronounced teeth on the foliage margins . River birch leaves tend to have a baseball diamond shape , whereas gray birch leaves are more triangular - shaped .

Birch Bark

Birch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree barque

Birch tree diagram bark is normally whitish - gray , silver , or sometimes red . The bark on most birch tree tree has horizontal dark streaks that look like marking ( called lenticel ) . birch rod tree bark is also well - known for its newspaper publisher - like texture and peel nature . The peeling barque on birch tree Tree gives them ornamental economic value in winter .

Birch Tree with white bark are mostly the most democratic character of birch rod trees for gardens .

Birch Flower

Birch flower are called catkins

Birch tree flowersare small , insignificant clusters of flowering spike anticipate catkins . birch tree trees blossom in spring at the same metre leaves appear . Flowers on manlike birch tree tree diagram are 1.2 ” ( 3 cm ) long , and the flowers on distaff trees are 0.4 ” to 0.8 ” ( 1 – 2 cm ) long .

How to Identify Birch Tree

The barque and foliage shape are the good ways to identify species of birch tree . you’re able to acknowledge birch rod trees by their peeling bark that can be ashen , gray-haired , or white-livered . You will also notice horizontal diamond - shaped raise scar on the light - colored bark . Look at the leaves — birch leaves are typically triangular with jagged - looking edges .

Birch Trees vs. Aspen Trees — How to Tell Them Apart

Aspen tree diagram trunks ( left ) are very similar to birch trunks ( right )

It ’s easy to mistake birch Tree foraspen tree diagram . From a space , birch tree diagram and aspens look similar with their supple bloodless or gray trunk . However , looking up close , you ’ll see that birches have skin barque , whereas aspen trees have bumpy , fissure bark .

Another way to tell birch tree trees apart from aspen trees is by their leaf . Birch leaves tend to be triangular or spear - shaped with noticeable serrated margins . Aspen tree leaves are more heart - shaped with delicately toothed edge . Also , birch leaf have a “ V ” shape and are elongated rather than like the flat leaves of aspens .

Aspen leaves ( left ) are ordinarily rounder and shorter than birch leaf ( right ) and have less serrated edges

Birch Trees in the Fall

Autumn leaf of birch tree tree

Birch trees aredeciduous treesthat have sensational decorative appeal in the fall . The leaves of birch tree plough from glossy cat valium to splendid shadiness of jaundiced in the fall . birch rod tree diagram fall colors can range from aureate yellowness to lovesome autumn hue of orange , bronze , and red . Some birch trees have barque that also turns golden like the leaves .

Types of Birch Trees

Let ’s look in more detail at the common type of birch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree growing in forest and residential park and garden .

White Birch Tree (Betula pubescens)

White birch tree ( Betula pubescens )

The white birch tree has ovate - shaped fuzzy leaves and lily-white , fragile , papery peeling barque . White birch tree grow between 30 and 65 foot . ( 10 – 20 1000 ) tall . The slender white body has unsloped offset , break the tree diagram a columnar appearance . clean birches have warm yellow fall colors .

White birch(Betula pubescens)is a tree aboriginal to Europe . Other names for white birch tree include ‘ downy birch , ’ ‘ hairy birch , ’ and ‘ moorland birch rod . ’ The white birch is sometimes confused with the silver birch ( Betula pendula ) . However , it has smooth pubescent shoot .

compare to other birch trees , the leaves of white birch have coarsely serrate margin .

The white birch tree diagram is a cold - audacious broadleaf tree diagram that grows in USDA zones 2 through 9 . The tree diagram expand in full sunlight and moist , damp dry land .

white-hot birch rod tree leaves : Simple leaves are arranged alternately . The triangular leaves have a rounded base and narrowing tip . Also , look for unevenly serrate margins . White birch leave quantity 1.2 ” to 2.4 ” ( 3 – 6 cm ) long and up to 2 ” ( 5 centimeter ) astray .

livid birch leaves and male person ament

White birch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree bark : Dull white thin bark that exfoliate in papery strip .

White birch tree tree bark

Weeping Silver Birch Tree (Betula pendula)

The ash grey birch tree has drooping branch , giving the tree diagram a crying appearance . The weeping Ag birch has glossy green leave that turn a warm yellowness in the fall . Leaves are ovate - shape with double - toothed margins . As its name evoke , the bark ofBetula pendulais silvery - white and has contrasting horizontal pitch-dark stripe .

Weeping silver birch trees turn well in expectant garden as specter tree . The arching canopy , ellipse shape , and lithesome silvery luggage compartment look stunning as a landscape tree .

Silver birch trees are suitable for get in USDA zones 2 through 7 . The deciduous trees opt full to partial sun and get in well - draining ground .

The weeping silver grey birch is also call the ‘ dame of the Grant Wood , ’ ‘ weep birch , ’ European blank birch rod , ’ ‘ warty birch tree , ’ and ‘ lady birch . ’

Silver birch tree diagram leaves : Shiny green leaf are 2.5 ” ( 7 atomic number 96 ) long and have a distinct triangular shape with jaggy - looking edge . Silver birch fall color are hues of warm yellows .

cry silver birch leave and male catkins

Silver birch tree tree barque : Bark is favourable chocolate-brown on young growth before turning silvery white with black patches .

Weeping silver gray birch bark

Paper Birch Tree (Betula papyrifera)

Paper birch rod trees ( Betula papyrifera )

Also called the white birch tree , the theme birch rod gets its name from its slender , white papery bark . The theme birch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has ornamental value in garden landscapes due to its gilded fall colouration and thin , exfoliating , smooth virgin snowy barque . leave-taking are ball - shaped with irregularly toothed perimeter .

you’re able to grow composition birch Tree as a single fore tree diagram or multi - cauline tree . Typically , paper birch rod tree diagram grow between 50 and 70 ft . ( 15 – 21 metre ) tall and have a rounded crown . Multi - stemmed newspaper publisher birch trees do n’t grow as marvelous .

Paper birch trees grow best in USDA zones 2 through 7 . In insensate mood , ornamental paper birch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can originate for up to 100 years . In warm region , they do n’t live as long .

The theme birch tree was used to make canoes . That ’s why theBetula papyriferatree is also call the canoe birch rod tree . Its brilliant white bark is the reason it ’s called the lily-white birch .

Paper birch tree tree diagram entrust : Ovate - shaped leaves with irregular serration on the margin . The leaf blade quantify 4 ” ( 10 cm ) long and turn from dark green to bright yellow in the declination .

Paper birch tree leave

newspaper birch tree diagram barque : lustrous white barque that peel off in strips revealing orangey - browned barque underneath .

Paper birch bark

Yellow Birch Tree (Betula alleghaniensis)

Yellow birch tree tree diagram ( Betula alleghaniensis )

The jaundiced birch tree tree is a average - sized tree diagram with elongated oval , glossy green leaf , finely serrated margin , and beautiful vivid yellow colors in the fall . This svelte deciduous tree has leaf grow in a conelike shape . The tree diagram ’s bark start as glistening bronze before turning shaggy and papery and a gray - chocolate-brown colouring .

Yellow birch trees mature between 50 and 80 foot . ( 15 – 24 m ) tall . Yellow birch have yr - long seasonal interest thanks to the beautiful bark , heavy pointed leaves , and bright fall coloration .

Other names for yellow birch tree tree include ‘ swamp birch tree , ’ ‘ gray birch rod , ’ ‘ hard birch , ’ and ‘ ash grey birch . ’

Yellow birch tree pull up stakes : Lanceolate shaped with irregularly toothed margins . Dark green birch foliage turn brightly yellow with hints of lime unripened in declination . The long birch leaves measure between 3 ” and 5 ” ( 7 – 12 cm ) long .

Yellow birch tree leaves

Yellow birch tree bark : The barque is a svelte brown color when new and turn a silvern - gray color as it matures . The barque has a yellow - bronze jot that peels in narrow strips .

Yellow birch bark

River Birch Tree (Betula nigra)

River birch trees ( Betula nigra )

The river birch tree is a eccentric of clop birch tree tree with cherry-red - brown exfoliating barque , glossy green diamond - shaped leaves , and a pyramidic crown . This tight - grow river birch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has quiet fuzzy twigs and unique buds amongBetulatrees due to the hooked tips . River birch fall coloring is golden yellow .

Betula nigragrows between 80 and 100 ft . ( 25 – 30 1000 ) and typically has multiple slender trunks . The clopping river birch tree turn good as decorative Tree in garden landscapes where there ’s blotto soil .

The river birch is the best pick of birch Tree for hot areas . River birches are the most warmth - kind of all theBetulaspecies . You ’ll chance river birch thriving in northerly states , as well as Florida and Texas . This birch mintage grows in USDA zones 4 through 9 .

Other names for the river birch tree include ‘ smutty birch tree , ’ ‘ water birch , ’ or ‘ clump river birch . ’

River birch tree diagram leaves : Diamond - shape leaves with double - serrate tolerance . The birch rod leaves have a glossy dark-green upper side and yellowish - common underside . In spill , all the leaf turns bright white-livered .

River birch tree foliage

River birch rod Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree barque : Flaky bark that peels and curlicue from the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree luggage compartment . The barque starts pink , smooth , and burnished . As the birch tree matures , the barque becomes reddish - brown and peels , let out orangey flakes of bark .

River birch barque

Gray Birch Tree (Betula populifolia)

Gray birch tree ( Betula populifolia )

The gray birch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is a tight - growing , slender deciduous tree , often with multiple trunks . grey birch tree leaves are triangular shaped with an elongated tip . The ovate leaf have a shiny green upper side and a pallid underside . Gray birch rod bark is a light gray , almost white color with black patches on the bark .

Gray birch tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are medium - sized tree , growing between 20 and 30 foot . ( 6 – 10 m ) .

The scientific name for grey-headed birch trees — Betula populifolia — come from the leaves that look like leaves on poplar trees .

gray-headed birch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can look like paper birch rod trees . However , to tell the trees apart , look at the bark and leaf . Gray birch rod bark does n’t skin , and the leaves have longer pointed tips than newspaper birch trees .

Gray birch rod tree leaves : Triangular leaves that candle to a longsighted steer . wait for double - toothed margins and shiny upper leave to distinguish grey birch tree . Fall color is an undistinguished yellowness .

Thomas Gray birch tree give

Gray birch tree bark : Chalky off-white - gray bark that does n’t strip .

grey birch barque

Sweet Birch Tree (Betula lenta)

Sweet birch tree diagram ( Betula lenta )

The sweet birch tree tree is a deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with large , ovate - shaped leave that have fine serrated margins . Leaves on odorous birch tree trees are some of the big in theBetulagenus , value up to 6 ” ( 15 cm ) long . weeping flowers emerge in leap before the leaves come out .

The sugared birch rod Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree get its name from the scent of wintergreen in the twig , barque , and leafage . The other unwashed public figure ofBetula lentarefer to other features of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . For object lesson , ‘ black birch ’ due to its dark bark semblance . ‘ cerise birch ’ and ‘ mahogany birch ’ because of the way the bark looks on ripe birch tree trees . And ‘ spice birch ’ due to the aromatic groundberry scent it emits .

Sweet birch tree trees grow up to 100 foot . ( 30 m ) magniloquent . However , these birch trees typically grow in residential landscapes between 50 and 80 ft . ( 15 – 24 m ) tall .

angelic birch tree tree leaves : The glossy leaves lead off as a lite green colouration before becoming a morose shade and then turning to productive golden yellowness in the drop . Leaves measure between 2 ” and 6 ” ( 5 – 15 cm ) . These birch tree leave give off a angelic fragrance when crushed .

Sweet birch rod leaves

Sweet birch tree bark : untested sweet birch tree trees have smooth greyish bark with thin horizontal lenticels . Unlike other birch tree , older trees train hard , deeply - fissured barque with irregular scaly plates .

Sweet birch bark

Dwarf Birch Tree (Betula nana)

gnome birch rod tree ( Betula nana ) and a close up picture of the folio

The dwarf birch tree is more of a big shrub than a tree . This shrubby industrial plant spring up around 3 ft . ( 1 m ) tall and has rounded leaves with flat out - toothed edge . Leaves are light fleeceable and turn crimson in the evenfall . Dwarf birch trees are well - suited to arctic term and flourish in USDA zone 1 through 8 .

Apart from dwarf birch tree tree diagram , other names forBetula nanainclude ‘ bog birch ’ and ‘ arctic birch . ’

The American dwarf birch tree ( Betula glandulosa ) is similar toBetula nana . The only difference is longer leafstalk joining the folio blade to twig .

Betula glandulosa leaves have long petioles

Himalayan Birch Tree (Betula utilis)

Himalayan birch tree diagram ( Betula utilis ) and go forth

The Himalayan birch tree has thin , papery bark , egg - influence , somewhat fuzzy leaves , and little conical prime . Like most birches , the Himalayan birch has disrobe bark that can be white , reddish - brown , or reddish - white . The bark strip down in thin flat solid , revealing pinkish barque underneath . The glistening green birch leave mensuration between 2 ” and 4 ” ( 5 – 10 cm ) .

The Himalayan birch tree diagram uprise as a large shrub or tree up to 66 foot . ( 20 m ) tall . The single automobile trunk branches out abject to the background to create a vase - shape treetop of green foliage counterpoint with livid bark .

Himalayan birch rod tree diagram bark

Japanese White Birch (Betula platyphylla)

Japanese white birch ( Betula platyphylla ) tree and bark

Also called the ‘ Asian white birch tree , ’ theBetula platyphyllahas grayish - white bark , spreading branch , and yellowish - green triangular leave with tapered tips . The 3 - inch ( 7.5 - curium ) leaves have toothed margins and cover leg to create a pyramidal pate .

The Nipponese lily-white birch thrives in zone 4 through 7 . In colder climates , the ornamental birch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree grows between 30 and 40 foot . ( 10 – 12 one thousand ) and is 15 to 25 ft . ( 4.5 – 7.6 m ) wide .

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