The trees' peeling bark is as attractive as the fall foliage. A Whitespire birch "standard" is where there is only one trunk on the tree. Native to the Eastern U.S., they will reach a height of 40 to 70 feet with a spread of 25 to 35 feet. Most importantly, sweet birch bears a more reliably strong, golden-yellow fall foliage than most other birches (whose autumn leaves sometimes lapse into paler yellows). Older trees develop a chalky white bark that does not peel. Learn about several members of this species that you may want to grow if you value beautiful, versatile trees. Genus name is the Latin name for birch. As suggested by its name, the branches of this birch tree droop, or “weep” down towards the ground. Sweet birch (Betula lenta) has dark-colored bark. Whitespire Birch has a nice narrow, pyramidal size and a chalky white bark that looks great all season long. Phonetic Spelling BET-yoo-luh pop-yoo-lih-FOH-lee-uh Description. Grow it in zones 4 to 7 in full sun to partial shade. River birch (B. nigra) has a rich cinnamon-brown bark that peels beautifully (see bottom photo). I planted this specimen in 2009 and has done beautifully even though it only gets partial sun. Consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist. In winter, it shows off its warm creamy-brown exfoliating bark. But it derives its common name not from the color of its foliage, but rather from the color of its peeling bark. The Himalayan Birch (Betula Utilis var Jacquemontii) is a wonderful tree and can be purchased single or multi-stem. For more details, see our, Weeping Cherry Trees and Other Cascading Trees, 12 Trees With Brilliant Fall Color Plus Other Advantages, 15 Varieties of Japanese Maple Trees With Colorful Foliage. Its fall foliage color is yellow. However, the leaves of river birch will become chlorotic (turn yellow) if grown in alkaline soils, which dominate our state. Like the other white birches, they should be viewed as high maintenance, short-lived landscape trees. There was one silver birch outside 65 Rugby St which was Betula utilis. The name 'Whitespire' was incorrectly assigned to Betula platyphylla.. River birch is a fast-growing, deciduous semi-aquatic tree that reaches between 50 and 90 feet in height. It can be grown in planting zones 3 to 9. Paper birch bark peels off the tree in long, narrow strips and exposes an inner bark that is orange in color. jacquemontii (Himalayan Birch), which is prized for its brilliant and exceptionally white bark, is a lovely addition to the landscape. Paper Birch and River Birch are some of the most popular landscape trees. They can be multi-trunked trees or grown to have just one trunk. It is composed of phenols such as guaiacol, cresol, xylenol, and creosol.. Betula platyphylla, commonly called Japanese white birch, is a medium to large sized tree noted for its white bark, thin spreading branches and slightly pendant branchlets. A good selection for poor soils and other difficult sites, it also demonstrates some resistance to bronze birch borer (BBB). Yellow birches should be grown in full sun to partial shade, in planting zones 4 to 7. In addition to its white bark and yellow fall foliage, the form of this tree provides landscaping interest. So this young Summer Cascade weeping River birch, according to its tag, will grow 6-8 feet both tall and wide. A wonderful birch tree selection with snowy white bark and good fall color; higher resistance to the dreaded bronze birch borer than most other white-barked … It requires full sun and rich soil. In the St. Louis area, it is best sited in a northern or eastern exposure that receives some afternoon shade. Another birch tree grown as much for its peeling bark as for its fall foliage is the paper birch (Betula papyrifera). The fall foliage color is yellow. The Royal Frost birch inherited beautiful white bark and resistance to the bronze birch borer from the parent Japanese white birch selection Whitespire. The White Spire Birch is very tolerant of high temperatures. River birch trees can be grown in planting zones 4 to 9. The fall foliage of paper birch trees is similar to that of gray birch trees (Betula populifolia). They shed their bark like the paper birches. Many are excellent garden and landscape trees. Some 60 different species of birch exist on the planet, but less than a dozen or so are common to North America. Asked June 5, 2013, 1:24 PM EDT. The ornamental bark does not peel. Something about a birch tree's dark branches and slim, white trunks stir the imagination. The chalky bark, or “paper,” is more striking than that of the river birch trees, sometimes attaining to almost a pure white (which is … Originally It has this amount of space on sides (between it and the fig and rose tree) and in front we don't mind if it goes 3-4 feet which its tag suggests (I'm assuming 6-8 … Betula species such as river birch trees (Betula nigra) are among the best selections for fall foliage specimens. Neanderthals produced tar through the dry distillation of birch bark as early as 200,000 years ago. Not as bad as, bark can be slow to turn white for the impatient, in the wild, limited to moist areas and is most commonly found along stream banks and areas that flood, mature specimens exhibit a rounded to irregular crown, Has intense scent of peppermint in the sap, somewhat diamond-shaped with a wedge-shaped leaf base, male flowers are 2″ to 3″ in bloom, 0.75″ prior to bloom, young trunk and branches have thin, shiny red-brown bark, older portions develop creamy orange bark; reminds me of a “creamsicle” that exfoliates in large thin sheet, on very old trunks and branches bark turn brown and develops ridges and furrows in a somewhat platy fashion, makes best growth on moist river bottom soil, but has proven to be adaptable to dried sites, develops chlorosis (iron) on soils above pH 6.5, better adapted to heat than other birches, easily transplanted and established from B&B or container, bark not white, for those expecting white bark on birch, Gardening Guides provide introductory information on a broad range of horticultural topics. Native to the Himalaya, Betula utilis var. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Plant them in full sun to partial shade. I would like to know which is better a paper birch or river birch. Betula is a genus of about 60 species of deciduous trees and shrubs found throughout the northern hemisphere. Bright green leaves turn a yellow fall color. Plant taller species 20 to 30 feet apart. Gray birch is a narrow, pyramidal tree of cool climates. Its bark resembles that of our native white birch. Mature size is around 30-40' tall x … Maybe you've admired the pretty deciduous tree 3 blocks over. Thanks to the Crimson Frost birch it displays attractive burgundy-red foliage. I have 3 Whitespire Birch clumps (Betula Platyhylla) that I planted about 8 years ago. This cultivar demonstrates good resistance to bronze birch borer (BBB). Birch tar was used widely as an adhesive as early as the Middle Paleolithic to early Mesolithic era. River birch, Betula nigra, variety ‘Heritage’ is a good replacement for the tree white barked birch. 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.Paper birch is named for the tree's thin white bark, which often peels in paper like layers from the trunk. Female catkins 1″ to 1.5″ long, young branches show smooth, reddish-brown bark with horizontal lenticels, bark becoming papery, chalky white after about 4 seasons, bark exfoliates or peels in strips to expose orange inner bark, on very mature trunks, the white is mixed with rough, black patches, probably the best white bark birch. Make sure to plant this tree where soil is likely to remain cool. This river birch is surprisingly fast growing in the nursery but quickly matures to a graceful weeping habit that controls its ultimate size. This birch tree is tolerant of most soil conditions and considered to be resistant to bronze birch borer. The chalky white bark, fluttery leaves and crisp, clean form are hard to miss. However you first fell in love with Whitespire Birch (Betula populifolia 'Whitespire'), it makes a fabulous, fine-textured accent tree. This bark sheds like that of the paper and river birch trees. Its diamond shaped, double-toothed leaves produce an … Himalayan birch, Chinese paper birch and Monarch birch are all occasionally used. We are seeking a second opinion re the white vs red birch. This birch tree is tolerant of most soil conditions and considered to be resistant to bronze birch borer. It seems to tolerate drier soils in its native range. 777 Lawrence Avenue East Toronto, ON, Canada M3C 1P2 | Phone: 416-397-1345, Copyright © Toronto Master Gardeners 2019, older trees become oval to rounded, with increasing irregularity in shape, nurseries often grow them in groups of 3 or 4 (“clump birches”), typically branched to a few feet above the ground in open exposures, alternate, ovate, simple leaves, 2″ to 4″ long and 1.5″ to 3″ wide, color is a dull, dark green above and paler on the underside, 2″ to 4″ long catkins, usually in 3’s and some in pairs (male). I am looking to plant a clumped birch in my front yard that faces west. As you learn how to trim a river birch tree, you will be opting to see your natural environment in a better way. The species, Betula populifolia, or gray birch, is a short-lived, narrow-columnar, suckering, deciduous tree that typically grows to 20-40’ tall. The Whitespire Birch displays chalk-white bark that does not exfoliate. Discover (and save!) A Whitespire birch "twin" is where there are two trunks on the tree. All of my birch trees, which include river birch and white spire, are well established and are all at least 15 years old. Birds, especially goldfinches and other small seed eaters feed heavily on Whitespire birch seed. The chalky bark, or “paper,” is more striking than that of the river birch trees, sometimes attaining to almost a pure white (which is why it is also sometimes called "white birch"). You can opt-out at any time. Thank you for addressing your question to the Toronto Master Gardeners on choice of birch trees. Noteworthy Characteristics. bark becoming papery, chalky white after about 4 seasons; bark exfoliates or peels in strips to expose orange inner bark; on very mature trunks, the white is mixed with rough, black patches; probably the best white bark birch. It is also used as an ornamental tree to brighten up a landscape. Betula utilis ‘Madison’ White … An alternate common name is "black" birch, which is reflected in the species name, nigra (Latin for "black"). One nursery had only red birches and told us white birches do not do well. The bark remains white longer than B. pendula and turns white relatively quickly on young branches. This tree also features interesting catkins which grace the tree in the summer. Ancient and modern uses. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. But do not settle for trees alone when it comes to growing plants for fall color, because there are plenty of shrubs and vines with fall color that gives you additional choices (in fact, being smaller, such plants may be better suited to small yards). Overgrown braches will create undesirable sight in your home. ‘Royal Frost’ is an upright pyramidal birch featuring burgundy-red to purple foliage, showy yellow-orange to red fall color and attractive white bark. They are native to this region, and they prefer its cool temperatures. Aug 2, 2019 - This Pin was discovered by Nessa. My problem is one of the trees I believe went into early Hibernation, it lost all of its leaves, 3 to 4 weeks before the other two trees last fall. Birch, White Spire - Affordable Trees. Its fall foliage color is yellow. your own Pins on Pinterest Betula x Royal Frost – Royal Frost Birch Inspect the bark of all the white birches. "River" birch is called so because, in its native habitat, it is often found growing near rivers. Leaves are glossy, dark green turning yellowish-green in fall. Know what species of birch you are planting. Make sure to plant this tree where soil is likely to remain cool. 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