We all know the birch tree for its showy, white to gray peeling barks.
They are staples in moist woodlands and are most likely found in colder climates.
But when they are planted in landscapes, they offer more than just shade because they are true showstoppers.
This post features some of the most notable birch tree types out there.
It also lists some useful information that you could refer to after.
So, if you are in for everything birch tree, read on.
In this article
Birch tree facts
There is more to birch trees aside from their showy barks.
Here are some interesting facts about birches that you should know about.
As such, the birch tree is surrounded with myths, folk stories, and symbolisms.
Here are some of the most notable symbolisms of the birch tree.
Leaves
Birch tree leaves are either triangular or heart shaped.
The leaves also have finely serrated margins, along with pointed tips and a round base.
They are arranged in an alternate fashion and turn into yellow, orange, or red during fall.
Some distinct differences show depending on the punch in of birch tree.
For example, gray birches have triangular shaped leaves while river birches are diamond shaped.
White birches on the other hand, have more prominent serrations.
Their peeling habit proves as showstoppers in winter gardens.
Flowers
Both male and female birch trees produce catkins in either summer or fall.
These small flowers bloom at the same time the foliage of the birch tree appears.
Flowers from male birches are 2cm longer than female catkins.
It tolerates acidic and alkaline soils and is the perfect addition to any rain gardens.
It is identifiable for its shiny red-brown bark with scales like thecherry tree.
It is disease resistant and attracts wildlife for its fruits and butterflies for pollination.
Its sap is also used to make birch beer.
It is native to western China but has grown scarce through the years.
It is drought tolerant, reaches a height of 50ft and a spread of 30ft.
It grows to 60ft with a spread of 40ft.
It is a very useful tree in its native ranges.
Its bronze-brown bark is turned into flour to make traditional delicacies.
The bark is also dried and made into tea because it is a natural diuretic and an anti-inflammatory remedy.
It is also important in carpentry and cabinetry.
It gets its name from its fuzzy hair-like overgrowth.
It is also called the arctic birch because it is an important ground cover for cold climate vegetation.
It grows in between 6inches to 3ft and thrives in rocky, acidic, and nutrient deficient soils.
The leaves are deep green most seasons but turn yellow during fall.
It is commonly used in urban parks because of its shade cover.
It can also be planted in home landscapes with vast garden areas.
7.Gray Birch (Betula Populifolia)
This one is more of an oversized shrub than a tree.
It gets its name from its grayish-white bark with dark brown dents.
They thrive in moist soils and grow in multiple trunks.
It has ovate, deep green and airy leaves that are curved at the edges.
Since it only grows to a maximum height of 20ft, it is often used in home landscapes.
It can also be conditioned to grow smaller to be planted in more compact yards.
8.Himalayan Birch (Betula utilis var.
jacquemontii)
This one has a high ornamental value because of its striking appearance.
It grows from a single trunk into a medium size tree.
It thrives better in cooler temperatures.
It can grow to up to 50ft and is native to the West Himalayas.
It grows in between 40-50ft and prefers wet, sandy or rocky soils.
This one is a beautiful landscape specimen tree in northern regions where the climate is very cool.
It gets its name from its paper thin, white bark which peels into paper-like layers.
It produces yellow flowers in the fall and can grow from a single trunk or in clumps.
It grows between 45-100ft.
It is also named as the canoe birch as it was used extensively by native Americans in building canoes.
Its catkins on the other hand are a steady supply of food for wildlife.
This one is birch bronze borer resistant.
11.River Birch (Betula nigra)
This fast-growing birch has become a famous landscape tree.
It can grow in a clumping form or from a single trunk.
Its bark is notable for its reddish- brown bark that reveals salmon pink layers when it exfoliates.
Its ovate leaves are dark green most days but turn butter yellow in the fall.
It grows from a single trunk, with white bark and dark gray marks.
The bark peels into paper-like layers.
Depending on its cultivar, it can grow in between 40-80ft.
It thrives well in cooler climates.
It would not last long in warmer temperatures.
It has lost its popularity as a landscape tree because of its vulnerability to bronze birch borer.
It is also distinguishable for its relatively smooth bark with a cocoa brown color.
The bark does not peel but it has white dents all over.
14.Weeping Birches (Betula pendula var.)
This one gets its name from its pendulous growth habit.
Its branches droop down but overall form a pyramidal form.
It has a dense foliage composed of heart-shaped leaves.
It has a white bark and dark gray to black trunks and branches.
Depending on the cultivar, it grows in between 40-70ft.
It gets its name from its smooth gold to bronzy yellow bark which peels in horizontal strips.
It grows from a single trunk.
Its sap can be tapped to create beverages that taste like root beer.
It grows between 40-80ft.
Where do birch trees grow?
Birch trees are native to northern, colder climates.
It also does not fare well in windy locations.
It thrives in moist, acidic to alkaline soils.
It basically grows in hardiness zones of 2-6.
Here are the basic growing and caring requirements for birch trees.
The average lifespan of birch trees would be 40 years.
But of course, there are notable birch tree types that live for hundreds of years.
The yellow birch on the other hand, could have a lifespan of 150-300 years.
Why do birch trees have black streaks on their trunk?
The number of lenticels in a birch tree is an indicator of their growth rate.
Which birch tree has the whitest bark?
The Himalayan birch has the whitest bark of all birch trees.
It has great ornamental value especially as the focal point of winter landscapes.
Besides these, there are other differences between birches and aspens.
Where to buy birch trees?
They are loved for their shade capacity, appearance, and longevity.
It is quite low maintenance if planted in the right soil and within the right climate and temperature.
The tree also has an interesting symbolic profile in many countries in the northern hemisphere.
With all things considered, birch trees are some of the best trees to choose for your home landscape.
