Share

Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Betula populifolia (Gray birch)
Vick, Albert F. W.

Betula populifolia Marsh.

Gray birch, White birch, Aspen-leaved birch

Betulaceae (Birch Family)

USDA Symbol: BEPO

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

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.

 

From the Image Gallery

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 , MA , MD , ME , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , VA , VT , 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: Dry , Moist , Wet
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:
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
(Papilio glaucus)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA
Toadshade Wildflower Farm - Frenchtown, NJ

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Betula populifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Betula populifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Betula populifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-10-15
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back