PSC 2620: Woody Trees and ShrubCourse HomeWeek 5

Betula papyrifera - Paper Birch

Plant Viewer
The bark of Paper Birch is bright white peels off in thin, papery sheets. 2-4 inch long catkins appear in clusters during summer.
The leaf of Betula papyrifera is ovate in shape, tapering to a point. The margin is doubly serrated. The fall color is a showy yellow.

Plant Description

Paper Birch, also called Canoe or White Birch, is a good replacement selection for Betula pendula because of its similar size, leaf and bark colors and improved resistance to the Bronze Birch Bore. It will reach between 50-70 feet high and about half as wide, producing a good pyramidally-upright form. It is more commonly found in tree form than multi-stem form, and is attractive in both forms. It is more hardy and adaptable than many of the other Birch species.

Young bark on the tree is reddish-brown and glossy. In a few years time the bark turns to a bright, almost pure white. As the name suggests, the white bark peels profusely in what looks likes curled sheets of paper. The underlaying bark has orange tints. As the tree matures, the peeling becomes less-pronounced, and the bark develops black marks on ridges and knot holes in the bark.

The dark green leaves are ovate and 2-4 inches long and elongated, tapering to a sharp point. They are arranged alternately on the stem. The margin of the leaf is doubly-serrated. In the fall the leaves turn a bright and showy yellow color. Catkins are 2-4 inches long and form during the summer. Seed-bearing catkins appear in fall and are 1-2 inches long.

Landscape Use

The very stark and peeling white bark is very ornamental makes this tree best suited for use as an ornamental tree or in small groupings in a naturalized setting.

Points of interest

Paper Birch should be regularly monitored for Bronze Birch Bore.