Birch Tree Guide: 15 Colors, Species, Types (What They Symbolize…Wow)

Although some Birch trees are more endangered than others, the following list shows some of the most common varieties of Birch Tree.

Types of Birch Trees

6. Erman’s Birch
(Betula ermanii)

This is popular for its dense foliage and is commonly planted on parks and used for landscapes. It can be as tall as 70 feet.

7. Gray Birch
(Betula populifolia)

Many consider this as just a tall shrub instead of a tree because it can only be as tall as 20 feet and has multiple trunks. Most people use this for home landscapes and is also commonly modified to be smaller in size so can be planted on smaller yards.

9. Japanese White Birch
(Betula platyphylla)

This thrives better in cooler climates than warmer ones because it can be vulnerable to many tree diseases. It has long, slender, white branches and can be as tall as 50 feet. It is also called the Asian White Birch.

Facts About the Paper Bark, White Birch Tree

Birch trees are tough, they grow quickly and are ruggedly immune to a number of diseases and insects.

But, these trees perform a foundational part of many types of forest. In addition to preventing erosion, the birch canopy provides support for many other plant and animal species in the forest.

The seeds from the samara ‘fruit’ and bark of the tree are a source of nourishment for rabbits, deer, and birds.

Moreover, Birch trees are a coveted tree for cultivation. Offering stunning autumn colors and attractive bark, they are often used for gardening and aesthetic beauty.

Silver birch, known as Betula pendula, warty birch, European white birch, or East Asian white birch, is native to Europe and parts of Asia. It’s only found at higher altitudes In southern Europe.¹

10. Paper Birch Tree
(Betula papyrifera)

Probably the most widely recognized Birch tee, the Paper birch features the distinctive peeling white bark.

This type of birch tree can be as tall as 100 feet.

11. River Birch Tree
(Betula nigra)

This is tolerant to drought and can be as tall as 70 feet. It grows so fast that it has become a popular tree for landscapes. It has salmon-like layers whenever its bark peels off.

13. Silver Birch Tree
(Betula pendula)

It was once a very popular birch tree being used for landscapes but because of its vulnerability to the borer, it is now rarely used. It loves to grow on cold climates and can be as tall as 80 feet.

14. Black Birch Tree
(Betula lenta)

This tree smells of wintergreen, and is common in the Appalachian Mountain range, as well as northern Georgia. With a dark brown, to blackish colored bark, this tree can develop scaly horizontal plates on the trunk over time.²

15. Virginia Round Leaf Birch
(Betula uber)

This rare species is in the ICUN threatened list and is one of the most endangered species of trees in North America. A Native to the Shenandoah Valley, this species only lives about 50 years, and features black or brown bark and there are currently approximately 960 trees in the wild.

How to Identify Birch Trees

The birch tree has some unique characteristics, especially its bark, which make it one of the easiest trees to identify in the forest.

Here are some of the most common traits, regardless of species.

Birch Tree Leaves

The leaves are egg-shaped or triangular and have toothed margins. They grow in alternately arranged patterns on the branchlets. They’re bright green and turn yellow in autumn.

Birch Tree Bark

The birch tree bark characteristics are well known. It’s the tree that looks like the bark is peeling off… because it is!

It’s usually white, but can also be other colors, and on trees that are elders in the forest, the bark can come off in uneven slabs.

Birch Tree Flowers

The drooping male catkins flower before the leaves emerge; while the smaller, upright female catkins grow in clusters like cones. And they break apart when ‘ripe,’ spreading tiny little nuts that have wings.

Birch Fruit (Birch Tree Seeds)

The fruit is a small samara. The wings can be obscure in some varieties. They’re different from the alders in that the female catkins aren’t woody and break apart at maturity as they release the seeds.

Birch Tree Growth Chart

A healthy birch tree can survive healthily for hundreds of years, but the cultivated varieties may only live around 50 years.

A birch tree grows approximately 1.5-2 feet per year, depending on growing conditions. For example, a particularly dry spring and summer may reduce the growth rate.

Birch Tree Vs Aspen: Aspen Tree Vs Birch Tree

There are some main differences between a Birch tree and an Aspen Tree. In the Black Hills of the US, both trees thrive in abundance, but the main difference is the bark.

Aspen trees have bark that tightly grips the trunk, while Birch trees, particularly the Paper Birch, have bark that peels off the trunk in layers.

In addition, Aspen tree leaves are heart shaped, characterized by their width, while Birch trees have an oval shaped leaf that has a point at the end. Another difference between the Birch and Aspen tree is that Aspen trees have a root system that can live for thousands of years, with seedlings sprouting from the roots.

Both trees have catkin clusters of seeds that are spread by the wind.

How to Grow a Birch Tree

You can grow a birch tree from a seed, but most people choose to plant a thriving seedling. Growing tips include:

• Choose a location with at least 6 hours a day of full sunlight.
• Make sure to mulch your Birch seedlings, since the roots grow relatively close to the surface of the ground, and can get scorched until the full canopy of the tree is able to shade them properly.
• Follow tree planting best practices about digging the hole and staking the seedling.
• Make sure that your young birch tree is watered regularly. A perforated hose is a great investment to ensure its survival.
• Check the soil dampness regularly. Birch trees need moist soil.

Birch Tree Diseases (How To Care for Birch Trees)

When caring for a maturing Birch tree, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Pune dead and unhealthy branches each year to reduce the stress placed on the trunk.

Check your tree for signs of insect infestation, especially the Birch borer and leafminer, as well as aphids.

You’ll notice aphid infestation if the undersides of the leaves look like they have sap on them, which attracts ants.

Where to Buy Birch Trees

When choosing a birch tree seedling to buy, it’s always a good idea to start with local growers and nurseries.

There are a number of benefits to buying locally, and reducing your carbon footprint is just one of them. When you buy a birch tree locally, you not only support your community, but you significantly reduce the emissions related to the purchase.

Moreover, buying from a local grower, as opposed to buying a birch tree from home depot, allows you to choose a species that is already climate hardened to your area, so there’s less risk that the seedling won’t survive. It’s likely that a local gardener or gardening agency may grow saplings as well that you can purchase or accept.

Folklore, Significance and Medicinal Qualities of Birch Tree

Considered a pioneer species for its ability to survive despite devastation, Birch trees are connected to growth and renewal.

Celtic groups considered it special within their mythology, symbolizing good fortune and protection against evil, and Native Americans also considered it a protective and guiding species of tree. [3]

Manufacturing

Birch trees that grow in the Eastern U.S. are valuable contributors to humankind. Paper birches got their name from the paper-like appearance of the mature trees’ white bark, which was used by many Native American tribes to weave baskets, arrow quivers, and canoes.

Native Americans along the eastern seaboard selected a paper birch tree and carved two cuts on the bark of the tree from opposite sides. The bark would peel come spring. The tribes cut away both sides of the bark and formed the two halves of the canoe.  They also used the bark to homes, buckets for collecting maple or birch sap, dishes, trays, and coffins.

All birch barks, especially paper or a yellow birch, are great fire starters.  You can quickly light a fire by using the outer bark of most birch trees.

Slices of birch bark are a regular component in natural fire-starting kits, like those that include flint and steel. Birch bark will burn even when the wood is fresh or wet, thus ideal for survival situations.

The wood of some varieties of birch trees is pale and soft grained and excellent for indoor decorative and veneer uses.

Yellow birch wood is popular for use in a variety of applications like flooring, toothpicks, furniture, and cabinets.  When purchasing birchwood for your residence, you’re most likely buying yellow birch wood.³

How Much Carbon Does Birch Tree Sequester?

Silver birch is capable of absorbing up to 3100 kilos of CO2 to clean the air.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Birch Tree