paper birch (betula papyrifera)

Credit MN DNR & Wikipedia

• Size at Maturity Height65'to70',twigsdullorangeorredduringfirstwinter,laterbecomebrown;opencrown;growssinglyorinclusters.Diameter14”to20”

• Range Generallyabundantthroughoutthestateexceptthesouthwest;shadeintolerant,fastgrowing.

• Bark Thin,papery;becomespurewhitewithage,markedbymanyporesor"lenticels";separatesintothinsheetsthatoftenrollup;barkthickensonoldtrees,becomingdark(nearlyblack)andscaly.

• Leaf Simple,alternateonstem,length2"to3";ovalorheartshaped,pointed,roundedatbase,irregularlytoothed;becomesthickandleatheryintexture;dullonuppersideandyellowishgreenonlowerside;turnslightyellowinautumn.

• Seeds or Fruit Birchtreeshavenutletswhichresemblesaconeandcontainsmanytinyseeds;nutletsaretightlygroupedina1"to1-1/2"longcatkin;ripensinAugustandSeptember.

• Wildlife Uses Althoughwhite-taileddeerconsiderbircha"secondary-choicefood",itisanimportantdietarycomponent.InMinnesota,white-taileddeereatconsiderableamountsofpaperbirchleavesinthefall.Snowshoeharesbrowsepaperbirchseedlings.

• Wood Product Uses Birchisusedinfurniture,flooring,Popsiclesticksandorientedstrandboard.Manyindigenousgroupsusebirch-barkformakingvariousitemssuchascanoes,containersandwigwams.

• Insect and Diseases BirchleafMiner,BronzeBirchBorer,Anthracnose

Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)