Outstanding Features:
Attractive smooth white bark, clear yellow fall color.

Description:
Height: 40-70'
Width: 20-40'
Hardiness Zone: 2a

Paper Birch is noted for its thin, white papery bark which is very noticeable and attractive. It has an upright oval form and is often grown as a multi­trunked specimen. Foliage develops a very nice yellow color in the fall. Paper Birch is very common in native populations in the Great Lakes region from Minnesota eastward. It is also native in scattered locations along streams and gulleys in Nebraska and the Dakotas.

Requirements and Culture:
Paper Birch requires a well drained soil, cool soil temperatures and ample moisture. Full sun. Does not perform well in difficult sites. Grows best in climates with cool summer temperatures. An organic mulch or ground cover planting will help keep summer soil temperatures cooler. Fertilization and irrigation to maintain the tree in vigorous condition will help prevent borer infestation.

Limitations:
Susceptible to bronze birch borer, especially when grown in stressful conditions. The borer can kill large branches or even the entire tree. Also susceptible to birch leaf miner. Not tolerant of compacted soils, drought, or areas with high soil or air temperatures.

Related Species and Selected Cultivars:

B. pendula - European White Birch has a very clean white bark. Branches are fine and often quite pendulous. Unfortunately this species and its cultivars are extremely susceptible to the bronze birch borer.

B. platyphylla var. japonica `Whitespire' - Whitespire Birch has a narrow pyramidal crown and excellent white bark. Has good tolerance to high temperatures and does well under a wide range of soil types. Introduced for its good resistance to the bronze birch borer. Following the recent dry years, borer problems have been reported. However until better cultivars become available, it is still the best white barked birch to plant.

Photo Credit: 1 E. Hasselkus; 2 MLA.

Minnesota Power | University of Minnesota | Northern States Power Company

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