Includes Betula nigra 'BNMTF' Dura Heat™, Betula nigra 'Cully' Heritage™, Betula papyrifera - Paper Birch, Betula pendula 'Dalecarlica' - Cut-leaf Birch, Betula pendula 'Fastigiata', Betula pendula - Silver Birch, Betula platyphylla 'Fargo' Dakota Pinnacle™, Betula platyphylla var. They are dark green and glabrous above and paler below, with a coarsely serrated margin. (1997) p 59 Parts Shown: Bark, Habit, Leaf Photo Keep the root zones cool and moist and consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches. Leafsnap is an electronic field guide for tree … form a strategic partnership called N.C. There are no known threats that are or will adversely affect this species in the foreseeable future. org/ articles/ betula/ betula-populifolia/). It is short-lived, but according to Sargent performs a valuable function in acting as a nurse for the seedlings of more durable trees. Gray birch grows quickly to 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 inch trunk diameter, with an irregular open crown of slender branches. Around 1993 this selection was renamed Betula populifolia ‘Whitespire’, unfortunately some nurseries still offer it as Whitespire Asian White Birch even when they have adopted the correct scientific name. The bases of these blades are broadly obtuse, while their tips are elongated and slowly tapering. Betula populifolia (Grey birch) will reach a height of 10m and a spread of 3m after 20-50 years.. Leaf miners are a problem on gray birch. Foliage is often shiny. long. It is closely related to Betula pendula Roth of Europe, B . The species is noted for its non-peeling chalky white bark and its long-pointed triangular green leaves. The Gray Birch - Betula populifolia- Marshall, is most easily distinguished by it's triangular leaf with flattened base, elongated tip and doubly toothed margins.It is a deciduous tree that reached heights of about 40 feet. Birches are considered a "pioneer" species and, thus, tends to grow quickly when young. Cultivation. It is not recommended for planting south of USDA Zone 7. long. A site produced by the International Dendrology Society. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[338. Leaf blade broadly ovate to deltate or rhombic with 5--18 pairs of lateral veins, 3--10 × 3--8 cm, base truncate to cuneate, marginally coarsely, irregularly, or sometimes obscurely doubly serrate, apex abruptly long-acuminate; surfaces abaxially glabrous or … The simple leaves are alternate, singly or doubly serrate, feather-veined, petiolate and stipulate. During periods of drought when organic soils can become extremely dry, a hot, slow-moving ground fire can burn all the organic matter and consume the shallow roots, thus killing the tree [ 4 , 31 ]. The barkis chalky to grayish white with black triangular patches where branch meets trunk. This judgement applies to its behaviour in the British Isles; in its native climate its value as a garden tree may be greater. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. Ovate nuts, 1.2-2.2 mm long, puberulous, wings 1.5-2 times wider, ripen fall-spring. It is now assigned to Betula populifolia and the plants are often sold under the name 'Whitespire Senior' to avoid confusion. The cultivar, 'Whitespire', is best known for its upright form, non-exfoliating white bark, dark green leaves and attractive yellow fall color. For copyright and licence information, see the Licence page. Architectural, Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Woodland. The leaf blades are up to 3" long and 2" across; they are deltate in shape and doubly serrated along their their margins. Betula populifolia 9 Mature bark creamy to silvery white, exfoliating as long strands; leaf apex acuminate; infructescence scales sparsely pubescent on adaxial surface; domesticated trees adventive or persisting after cultivation. japonica 'Whitespire', Betula 'Penci-2' - Royal Frost ™, Betula utilis var. Birch species are generally small to medium-sized trees or shrubs, mostly of northern temperate and boreal climates. Non-showy flowers, unisexual, catkins. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. long-pointed triangular green leaves. Betula papyrifera: leaf blades pointed at the apex but not long-tapering, with mostly 7-9 pairs of lateral veins, and fruiting catkins occurring 2-4 together (vs. B. populifolia, with leaf blades long tapering to the apex, with 5-7 pairs of lateral veins, and fruiting catkins solitary or infrequently paired). Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. It needs little pruning, but if necessary, you can prune during the dormant season. Betula populifolia Gray birch A conical to somewhat irregular, small to medium, short-lived tree with grayish white bark that has prominent black triangular patches where lateral branches originate. Betula populifolia is an important successional tree on burned, cleared, or abandoned land in the Northeast. Growth rate: medium Texture: fine Foliage Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. Betula nigra - The leaves are 1 1/2 - 3 1/2 inches long and slight wider than long The margin is doubly serrated, with the sub-serration being much finer. Shiny 1.5"- 3" long 2"-3" wide, alternate, simple leaves ovate to triangular-ovate, unequally serrate to doubly serrate. The species, Betula populifolia , or gray birch, is a short-lived, narrow-columnar, suckering, deciduous tree … Betula populifolia-- Gray Birch Page 2 Crown density: open Figure 2. Leaves broadly ovate or triangular, broadly wedge-shaped or truncate at the base, drawn out at the apex into a long, slender point; 2 to 31⁄2 in. (2019) p 191-92 Parts Shown: Leaf, Habit Photo Dirr, Michael A. Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs. However, it is susceptible to leaf miner. It is native primarily from Southeastern Canada to Virginia, with a scattering of plants extending westward to Illinois. neoalaskana of the Northwest, and several Asian taxa. Betula populifolia is a very common species in the northeastern portion of its geographic range. SPECIES: Betula populifolia IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : Gray birch is usually top-killed by low- to moderate-severity fires. NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to It will self-seed and form an attractive stand of trees. Green female catkins are conelike 1/2" long, with 3-lobed scales. 3) Leaf type: simple Leaf margin: double serrate Leaf shape: ovate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaf type and persistence: deciduous Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches Leaf color: green Fall color: yellow Discussion. Although this gray birch has some susceptibility to aphids, birch skeletonizer and dieback, these problems are usually considered to be somewhat minor in comparison to the birch borer and birch leaf miner. To contact the editors: info@treesandshrubsonline.org. This cultivar demonstrates good resistance to bronze birch borer (BBB). It is hardy to zone (UK) 4. Ideally plant in fertile, moist soil in full sun or light shade but … The name 'Whitespire' was incorrectly assigned to Betula platyphylla.. This plant has many benefits including ease of transplant, that it casts light shade, and tolerates heat, wind, deer, and drought. leaves turn orange and red in autumn. However, it does not tolerate dry soils and has shallow roots. Images of the Gray Birch (Betula populifolia), including photos of the leaf, flower, fruit, seed, petiole, bark, and tree. japonica when introduced into commerce in 1983, but that designation was subsequently changed when it was determined 'Whitespire' was in fact a gray birch. The longer stalk and drawn-out apex of the leaf, and the absence of down from the younger parts, amply distinguish it. Smooth, non-peeling, chalky white bark even through maturity someitmes with a tinge of pink marked with black triangles. It most often appears in a multi-trunked form, but also grows with a single trunk. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen in September. It occupies sterile and inclement regions, and is one of the first trees to find its way back to land stripped – either by man or by fire – of its original forest covering. Japanese Gray Birch grows best in medium to wet, well-drained, sandy or rocky loams in full sun to part shade. Recommended citation'Betula populifolia' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/betula/betula-populifolia/). Betula L. (Betulaceae). Do not prune in winter or spring when the sap is running because it will bleed. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. 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