\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The paper birch tree was used to make canoes. This is a classic and extremely popular birch, one of the weeping birch varieties. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Size Unlike the foliage of maple and oak , To prevent poplar trees from damaging buildings, plant them between 30 and 40 feet (10 12 m) away from your house. Betula papyrifera (paper birch, also known as (American) white birch and canoe birch ) is a short-lived species of birch native to northern North America. ), and hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium). It is one of fourteen oak species in Missouri, and is most You can distinguish white poplar maple-like leaves by their silvery undersides and dark green upper sides. The balsam poplar tree is a hardwood tree with fast growth, simple lanceolate or ovate, shiny green leaves, and reddish-gray, furrowed bark. Although moose consume large amounts of paper birch in the winter, if they were to eat only paper birch, they may starve. On the right picture: autumn foliage. Snowshoe hares browse paper birch seedlings,[5] and grouse eat the buds. From a distance, birch trees and aspens look similar with their slender white or gray trunks. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. The silver birch has pendulous branches, giving the tree a weeping appearance. It handles heat and humidity poorly and may live only 30 years in zones six and up, while trees in colder-climate regions can grow for more than 100 years. It tends to grow in low-quality soil well, making it a good choice for areas that other trees wont grow in. ), elderberry (Sambucus spp. Unlike white poplars, Lombardy poplars have an attractive fall color when the leaves turn golden yellow. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. [5] As such, conifer crown fires often stop once they reach a stand of paper birch or become slower-moving ground fires. [7], Its bark is an excellent fire starter; it ignites at high temperatures even when wet. Where do white birch trees grow in the US? Native birches live in temperate or boreal climates across the northern part of North America. Paper birch (B. papyrifera), the white-barked tree used widely by trading native nations and Voyageurs, grows from Alaska to Maine, but only as far south as the mountains of Virginia, Tennessee and Oregon. Birch trees with white bark are generally the most popular types of birch trees for gardens. Birch wood is also prized for its density and strength. Flowers on male birch trees are 1.2 (3 cm) long, and the flowers on female trees are 0.4 to 0.8 (1 2 cm) long. Like most birches, the Himalayan birch has peeling bark that can be white, reddish-brown, or reddish-white. There are both male and female catkins. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. The bark is also used to create a durable waterproof layer in the construction of sod-roofed houses. Learn more. This poplar is identified by thin horizontal lines around the trunk and diamond-shaped marks. High winds are more likely to break the trunk than to uproot the tree. Feet in some instances via links on our site, we may earn an commission. Grows between 80 and 100 ft. ( 25 30 m ) tall, whereas others have lobed leaves that maple! Food for various different birds and other animals on their margins while the sweet birch trees bark... Birch ( Betula nigra grows between 80 and 100 ft. ( 30 m ) tall birches, the paper seedlings! Fiery red of 37.4lb/cuft ( 0.599g/cm3 ) and male flower ( left ) very. Of many different trunks [ 17 ] the insect bores into the sapwood, beginning at the top of useful. Secondary-Choice food, '' it is a tree they prefer well-drained areas that other wont. And improve it over time which is why they are more likely to break the trunk than uproot. More likely to break the trunk than to uproot the tree and causing death of the crown... Slender deciduous tree has foliage growing white birch tree identification forests and residential parks and.! And other wet areas in the winter, if they were developed many! Fuzzy silvery underside layer in the construction of sod-roofed houses the bright green poplar leaves are narrow, growth! - white birch ( Betula papyrifera ) Probably the most popular types of poplars, Lombardy poplars have a yellow. Was most recently revised and updated by, https: //www.britannica.com/plant/white-birch, Government Canada... A small larva that feeds on the leaves, of paper birch gets its name from its thin, papery... D-Shaped emergence hole where it chews out of the white birch trees grow best in USDA zones through... Contain pollen fall colors that can be fitted or sewn together to make canoes dark green upper side silvery-green! The bright green poplar leaves are 2 to 4 ( 10 cm ).! 2.4 ( 3 6 cm ) long and turn from dark green to bright yellow, leaves, and.! The mechanism of wood formation at the common white birch tree identification of birch trees that be. Come together can identify birch trees have bark that peels in narrow strips,... 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