Paper Birch

General
Scientific Name: Betula papyrifera
Family: Betulaceae (Birch)
Hardiness: Zone 2
Leaves: Deciduous
Plant Type: Tree
Growth
Rate: Medium
Mature Height: >45’
Longevity: Medium
Power Line: No
Ornamental
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Fruit: Tan
Fall Color: Yellow

A native medium-to-tall tree which is loosely pyramidal when young, developing an irregular oval crown when mature. This tree is noted for its white bark, which exfoliates in papery strips to reveal an orange-brown inner bark. Mature trees develop black markings on the white bark. Single trunk trees will grow taller with an oval rounded crown. Multi-trunked trees will be shorter with a more irregular crown. Drought stress followed by bronze birch borer attack often causes decline. The largest tree in North Dakota is 61 feet tall with a canopy spread of 40 feet.

Light: Full sun.
Water: Medium to high water use.
Soil: Best grown in medium to wet soils, adaptable to soils from rocky to sandy loam.

Needs consistently moist soils for best growth. Paper birch requires little pruning but if necessary prune during the dormant season or avoid pruning when sap is running. Performs best in cool northern climates where summer temperatures rarely exceed 75°F and where root zones are generally covered with snow throughout the winter.