Vick, Albert F. W.
Betula populifolia Marsh.
Gray birch, White birch, Aspen-leaved birch
Betulaceae (Birch Family)
Gray birch is a narrow, columnar, single- or multi-trunked
tree, 35-50 ft. Small, bushy
tree with open, conical crown of short slender branches reaching nearly to the ground; more often a clump of several slightly leaning trunks from an old stump. The white, non-peeling
bark becomes darker with age. Dark-green leaves turn yellow in fall.
A pioneer
tree on clearings, abandoned farms, and burned areas, Gray Birch grows rapidly but is short-lived. A nurse
tree, it shades and protects seedlings of the larger, long-lived forest trees. The wood is used for spools and other turned articles and for firewood. Its trunks are so flexible that when weighted with snow, the upper branches may bend to the ground without breaking. The long-stalked leaves dance in the slightest breeze.
Image Gallery:
2 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Tree Leaf Complexity: Simple Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Flower:
Fruit: Brown
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr
Distribution
USA: CT , DE , IL , IN , ME , MD , MA , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , PA , RI , VT , VA , WV
Canada: NB ,
NS ,
ON ,
PE ,
QC Native Distribution: Maritime provinces to NJ & VA, scattered w. to n.e. IL
Native Habitat: Wet to dry woods; lake margins; old fields
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet , Moist , Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Wet to dry, poor soils.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Songbirds, ground birds and mammals
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Betula populifolia is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2012-10-15
