Birch tree diagram , belonging to the genusBetula , are admire for their elegant pattern , spectacular barque , and vivacious foliage that transforms with the season . Found in diverse habitats across the Northern Hemisphere , these deciduous trees fiddle a critical persona in various ecosystem and are cherished in landscape gardening for their esthetic appeal and bionomic benefits .
In this scout , we will explore 18 discrete type of birch trees , providing elaborated designation features , including leaf shape and color , along with accompanying pictures .
Different Types of Birch Trees
Yellow Birch
Yellow Birch(Betula alleghaniensis)is a slow - get , long - lived tree that can give ages of 150 to 300 years , make it one of the most long-wearing birch tree species . It is name for its xanthous - bronze barque , which peels in narrow-minded horizontal airstrip , create a visually spectacular appearance . As the tree old age , its bark becomes tan or yellow - greyish , maintaining its glistening grain .
respect for its hard , durable forest , Yellow Birch plays an important role in the North American lumber industry , particularly in piece of furniture and flooring production . It flourish in moist , well - drain loamy soils , infull sunto partial wraith . Wildlife , especially bird , are appeal to its fruits in the fall , making it ecologically substantial .
This species is aboriginal to northeastern North America and farm in USDA zone 3 to 7 . It can reach meridian of 50 to 100 foot , with a canopy spread up to 60 foot , making it a key species in timber and rude landscapes .
Silver Birch
Ag Birch(Betula pendula)is a striking landscape painting tree , admired for its graceful , nodding branches and typical white-hot barque that peels to discover diamond - shaped rut . Native to Europe and parts of Asia , this tree has become pop worldwide for its artistic appeal . The bark , fluent and creamy whitened in youth , step by step exfoliates in lean horizontal strip , creating a beautiful contrast against the non-white vallecula as the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree matures .
Silver Birch prosper in full sun and prefers moist , well - drained arenaceous soil . It can grow as a undivided or multi - trunked tree diagram , start with a conical form that becomes more rounded with old age . Despite its beauty , this species has fall out of favor due to its susceptibility to the bronze birch tree borer , a pesterer that severely impacts its health .
Silver Birch is typically 30 to 50 feet grandiloquent but can reach 80 feet . Its adaptability has led to invasiveness in some regions , such as division of Canada and the U.S.
Bog Birch
Bog Birch(Betula pumila)is a unfearing , medium - sized bush well - suited for wet , soggy soil near creek , river , lakes , and bog . It flourish in wet environments , micturate it ideal for rain gardens or landscape around body of pee . Its low , elliptic to almost rounded farewell add charm to its show .
This resilientshrub performs good in full sunand tolerates various knotty conditions , include occasional implosion therapy , alkaline soil , heavy clay , and road salts . It naturally produce in calcium - deep marsh but look threats from invading species and human - alter water systems .
Bog Birch typically extend to 4 to 12 feet in height and has smooth , dark reddish - brown bark . Its sprig are hairless to passably pubescent , and its leaves are crenate or dentate with spread out resinous glands . This bush is often confused with Dwarf Resin Birch and Dwarf Birch due to their similar features . aboriginal to northern North America , Bog Birch is found across most Canadian state and northerly US state of matter .
Dwarf Birch
Dwarf Birch(Betula nana)is a small , insensate - stout bush native to arctic and tundra regions across the northerly hemisphere . Though not commonly observe in home landscapes , it serve as an excellent ground cover in colder northern areas . Dwarf Birch is adaptable , tolerating various filth status , including short , rocky , and acidic ground , but it fly high best in moist to wet , well - drain environments . Full Lord’s Day is essential for its growth , as it does not tolerate shade .
This shrub is identifiable by its smooth gray to dismal brown barque , with inconspicuous lenticels that remain unchanged with old age . Its twig are hairless to sparsely pubescent and may have resinous glands . The rounded leaves are extensive than they are farsighted , featuring crenate margins and 2 to 6 pairs of lateral veins . Dwarf Birch produces upright , cylindrical infructescences that shatter with yield in crepuscle . It is often confused with Dwarf Resin Birch ( Betula glandulosa ) , which has glandular warts on its twig and different leaf characteristics .
With its unique features , Dwarf Birch is recognise as Arctic Birch , Bog Birch , or Swamp Birch , and it thrives in USDA Zones 1 to 8 , reaching heights of 0.5 to 4 substructure .
Downy Birch
Downy Birch(Betula pubescens)is an exceptionally dusty - hardy tree that thrives in USDA Zone 2 , strive peak of up to 60 human foot . This edible tree ’s inside bark has historically been ware in northern climates , ground into flour , and used to make bread , a practice that keep on today . Medicinally , it has served as an acerbic , anti - inflammatory , and diuretic .
Downy Birch produce quickly and feature a shallow root organisation , so it ’s all-important to plant it in a lasting locating as it dislikes disturbances . It prefers dampish , well - drained , acidic soils but does not stomach bundle or systematically wet conditions . This mintage has been introduced in various US nation and Canadian provinces .
Identifying Downy Birch is easy due to its dark blood-red - brown bark that age to light reddish - chocolate-brown or gray - white , sometimes exfoliating in slight sheets . The twigs are covered with light bristly hairs and lack a wintergreen scent . Leaves are ovate or rhombic - ovate , with rounded basis , acute pourboire , and serrated margins . The lower surfaces are sparsely downy . The infructescences are cylindrical , nodding , and shatter with fruit in tardy declination .
Downy Birch is often confused with Silver Birch , which has clearly creamy - bloodless barque and unlike foliage characteristics . Other common names let in Hairy Birch , Moor Birch , and European White Birch . This tree is native to a across-the-board area from Iceland and the UK to northerly and central Europe and Asia , reach USDA Zones 2 to 9 , with an average height of 30 to 65 feet and a spread of 20 to 35 feet at maturity .
Paper Birch
The Paper Birch(Betula papyrifera)is an iconic tree aboriginal to Northern North America , recognise for its striking white , papery bark that peels in thin strip . valuate by Native Americans and former settlers for its various barque , which was used for craft canoes and basket , this hardy tree thrives in cold climate , growing rapidly to heights of 45 to 70 feet and sometimes reaching up to 100 foot .
The tree ’s leaf are ovate with finely serrated edge , change by reversal a bright yellow in the fall , create a stunning contrast with its lily-white barque . While it typically dwell around 100 years , some exceeding specimens can reach 200 years . well suit for moist , loamy dirt with full Sunday or fond subtlety , the Paper Birch is insubordinate to some pests , like the bronze birch tree woodborer . Its unique bark and form make it a dear and recognisable part of the Northern American landscape .
River Birch
The River Birch(Betula nigra)is a popular tree diagram for landscape gardening , valued for its speedy growth and distinctive bark . It can be produce as a single- or multi - trunk tree , forming a beautiful , rounded canopy . Its bark start as salmon - pink to ruddy - brownish , exfoliating in thick , shaggy-coated layers that reveal light privileged barque , providing yr - round visual interest .
Thriving in moist soils and prefer full sun to partial spectre , the River Birch is well - suited for wet areas like riverbanks and swamps but can also tolerate drought . It is heat - tolerant and resistive to the bronze birch woodborer , though it prefer acidic over alkaline soils . In nightfall , its dark greenleaves turn a soft yellow , enhancing seasonal appeal .
easy identify by its shaggy bark and rhombic - ovate farewell , River Birch can grow up to 80 substructure tall . It ’s often confused with Paper Birch and Silver Birch , which have different bark and leafage characteristic . Its adaptability and striking appearance make it a beloved choice in various landscape painting .
Cherry Birch
The Cherry Birch(Betula lenta ) , also know as Sweet Birch or Black Birch , is a regal tree renowned for its still , shiny , reddish - browned barque that resemble cherry tree bark , even as it mature into irregular , scaly plateful . This bombastic tree enhance landscapes , especially in the fall when itsleaves turna vivacious gold - yellow , add seasonal dish .
Wildlife is drawn to its fruits in the word form of ament , attracting deer , European elk , rabbits , and variousbird species . to boot , its flowers attract butterfly in the spring , making it both esthetically pleasing and ecologically worthful . lively against the bronze birch borer , Cherry Birch prosper in full sunlight to partial shade and prefers moist , well - drained , slightly acidic loamy dirt , though it can tolerate sandy or bumpy condition .
Its distinguishable wintergreen scent from humbled twigs and the ability to get birch beer from its sap further set it apart . Growing to 60 to 70 feet tall , with a scatter of 35 to 60 foot , it is well - suited for open space across USDA zone 3 to 8 .
Virginia Roundleaf Birch
The Virginia Roundleaf Birch(Betula lenta f. uber)is a rarefied edition of the Cherry Birch , notable for its almost pear-shaped leaves , which distinguish it from the distinctive ovate or oblong folio of other birch rod species . This alone machine characteristic , coupled with its limited distribution , has led to its credit as a distinct form , although it is sometimes sort out asBetula uber .
mature to a restrained height of 20 to 35 feet , with some specimens reach up to 50 feet , this slender Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has a short lifetime of about 50 year . Its bark is coloured chocolate-brown to black , still when untried , and does not exfoliate as dramatically as the Cherry Birch . list as critically endangered by the IUCN , fewer than 1,000 individuals remain in the wild , concentrated in Smyth County , Virginia .
The Virginia Roundleaf Birch prefers moist , well - drained soils and partial shade in USDA Zones 5 to 7 . Its singular , almost round leave-taking and peculiarity make it a conservation priority .
Himalayan Birch
Himalayan Birch(Betula utilis)is a average - sized tree characterize by its open pyramidal class , native to the temperate montane forests of the Himalayan Mountains . The tree features icteric - putting surface to green leaves that transmute into a vibrant golden - yellowness in the fall , while its distinctive desquamation bark cater winter interest to the landscape painting . Himalayan Birch flourish in culture medium to blotto , well - drain sandy or rocky loams , preferring full Sunday to fond specter . It perform best in cooler temperate climate ( USDA zone 5 and 6 ) with snow cover during winter , and in red-hot , humid summertime , it benefits from afternoon shade and mulch to keep its roots cool and moist .
Identifying features let in dingy reddish - browned bark that exfoliates in sparse flakes , hairless reddened - brown branches , and thickly resinous twig . The leaves are oval-shaped to oblong , with irregularly serrate margins and pubescent low surfaces . Himalayan Birch is often confused with Silver Birch and Paper Birch due to similarities in barque and leaf characteristics . plebeian name include White - bark Himalayan Birch and Bhojpatra . It typically reaches 30 to 40 understructure in height and spreads 15 to 30 feet .
Jacquemontii Himalayan Birch
Jacquemontii Himalayan Birch(Betula utilis var . jacquemontii)is a striking botanic variant of the Himalayan Birch , celebrated for its spectacularly white papery barque , which many believe the whitest among birches . This medium - sized tree typically features a individual tree trunk with a graceful pyramidal form and is peculiarly admired for its vibrant lily-livered foliage in the descent . However , it is vulnerable to the bronze birch rod stone drill , so it ’s essential to assess local pestis conditions before planting .
Thriving best in cooler climates , the Jacquemontii Himalayan Birch favor consistently moist but well - drained loamy , sandy , or clay soils and is best situated in full sun , although it can endure some unclouded shade . The leave are more or less ovate , characterize by 7 to 9 pairs of lateral veins , rounded bases , and acuminate tips , discover it from its Himalayan twin . This elegant tree diagram , also known as White - Barked Himalayan Birch , typically strive heights of 30 to 50 invertebrate foot with a spread of 15 to 30 invertebrate foot , thriving in USDA zones 4 to 7 .
Chinese Red Birch
Chinese Red Birch(Betula utilis ssp . albosinensis)is a striking tree often recognize for its beautiful beloved , cinnamon , or maroon disrobe bark , which makes it an appealing specimen in gardens or Leslie Richard Groves . This subspecies of Himalayan Birch thrives in a variety of circumstance , show resilience even in drouth . It prefers moist , well - drained soils and get well in full sun to fond shade . In the declivity , its folio transform into astunning subtlety of lily-livered , add seasonal interest .
This Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has realise the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit for its ornamental qualities . Identifying feature admit its tall stature , orangish - red shiny bark that exfoliates in papery flakes , and crimson - brown hairless twigs . The leaves are ovate to ovate - oblong , with acuminate tip and irregularly serrated margins . Taiwanese Red Birch is often discombobulate with Himalayan Birch , which has darker bark and slightly different leaf characteristic . aboriginal to primal and westerly China , it typically reaches heights of 30 to 50 substructure with a scatter of 20 to 30 feet .
Japanese White Birch
Nipponese White Birch(Betula platyphylla ssp . mandshurica)is a average - to - tall tree diagram renowned for its bright white bark and gracefully open branches that terminate in droop sprig . Thriving in cooler climate , it prefers full Lord’s Day but can tolerate partial nicety . This tree diagram is adaptable to various soil types , including flaxen or rocky loam , as long as the soil remains consistently moist and well - drained . However , in warmer climates , it is more susceptible to birch borer .
The compartmentalisation of this species is somewhat ambiguous ; it is often referred to as Betula platyphylla var . japonica and is sometimes include within the Silver Birch(Betula pendula)taxon . Identifying feature of speech admit grayish - white , exfoliating bark and twigs that are dark-brown and sparsely tarry glandular . foliage are deltoid to loosely ovate , with serrated tolerance and 5 to 9 lateral vein . Incontescences are drooping and oblong , contribute to their ornamental appeal . Native to Japan , Korea , and part of Siberia , it typically reach heights of 30 to 50 feet and spreads 15 to 25 metrical unit .
Water Birch
water supply Birch(Betula occidentalis)is a various Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that can originate as a bush or develop into a medium - sized tree , depending on its environment . characterise by its fluent , dark ruby-red - brown to about black barque , it disagree from other birch tree coinage as it does not skin . This tree is vital to the ecosystem , serving as a crucial food source and material for the North American beaver .
Water Birch thrives well in course sloughy , waterlogged soils and prefers full sun to partial refinement . The leaves are broadly speaking oval to rhombic - ovate , measuring between 0.4 and 2.3 inches long , with 2 to 6 pair of sidelong veins and serrated margins . Its infructescences are erect to well-nigh pendulous , cylindrical in shape , and shatter with fruits in the descent .
This specie is often confused with River Birch due to its common name , but it is tell apart by its non - exfoliating barque . aboriginal to western North America , Water Birch typically reaches pinnacle of 15 to 40 foot , with a spreading of 10 to 30 foot .
Erman’s Birch
Erman ’s Birch(Betula ermanii)is a sought - after spook tree known for its luxuriant , dense foliation . Frequently planted in parks , borders , and garden , it serves as an attractive specimen tree or can be used in groves for timber garden . This magniloquent , variable mintage features creamy - white , peeling bark and shiny greenleaves that turna vibrant golden - yellow in the fall .
extremely adaptable , Erman ’s Birch thrive in most well - drained , dampish soil types and favor full sun to partial shadiness . Its key out characteristics let in grayish - livid bark that exfoliates in sparse sheet and red - brownish , hairless branches . The foliage are ovate or broadly ovate , measuring 0.8 to 2.8 in long with 8 to 12 sidelong veins and irregularly serrate gross profit . The infructescence are typically ovoid or oblong and often nearly sessile .
Often confused with Japanese White Birch , Erman ’s Birch is native to Northeast China , Korea , Japan , and the Russian Far East , reaching superlative of 30 to 40 feet with a bedspread of 20 to 40 feet .
Gray Birch
grey Birch(Betula populifolia)is a prevailing metal money characterized by its multi - trunked signifier , making it ideal for small yards as a large bush or modest Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Its forest is favored by craftsmen for its versatility and plasticity . While it can tolerate poor and dry soils , it thrive best in medium- to wet , well - drained sandy or stony organic loam with a orientation for acidic conditions . This short - lived , cold - hardy tree benefits from mulching around the root zone in warm summer region to keep its antecedent coolheaded .
Gray Birch is well identifiable by its narrow , columnlike anatomy and approximate - warty twigs . Its barque is chalky white and non - exfoliating , feature dark chevron temporary hookup below leg bases . The glossy green leave are deltoid , appraise 2 to 3 column inch long with twice serrated margins . infructescence are nodding and mature in previous summer . Often misguided for Paper Birch or Silver Birch , it is aboriginal to northeast North America and reaches heights of 20 to 40 feet with a spread of 10 to 20 feet .
Curly Birch
Curly Birch(Betula pendula ssp . pendula or var . carelica)is a typical genetical variant of Silver Birch , known for its unique twisted and bushy development habit . This challenging tree exhibits a genetic mutation thatcauses its offshoot to curltoward the trunk , resulting in striking curly grain in the wood . These grain are highly sought after for crafting specialism woodwind instrument products such as small box seat , knife hold , picture frame , bowl , and pen , making Curly Birch a favorite among artisans and woodsman .
Although it is usually referred to asBetula pendula var . carelica , industrial plant authorities have reclassified it asBetula pendula ssp . pendula . This tree typically grows to a height of 30 to 50 pes with a spread of 20 to 30 feet , making it suitable for various landscape configurations . Curly Birch thrives in well - drained , moist grunge and prefers full Sunday to partial shade . Its USDA growing zones are 3 to 6 , take into account it to conform to a mountain chain of climates . Overall , Curly Birch stick out out not only for its beauty but also for the high quality of its wood .
