Eastern Forest Threat Center - European White Birch

European white birch is a medium-sized deciduous tree that grows to a height of 40 to 50 ft. and width of 10 to 20 ft. The pyramidal shape of the crown becomes rounded with a graceful, somewhat pendulous branching habit. Young twigs are thin and usually pendulous. The white bark becomes blackish with age. Simple, alternate leaves are broadly ovate, 1 to 3 in. long, coarsely doubly serrate, dotted with glands on both surfaces, and yellow to yellow-green in fall. Flowers occurring April to May are tightly packed in catkins found at the end of the branchlets. Environmental conditions that seem to favor establishment and growth of European white birch include an available seed source from planted or escaped specimens; disturbed soil surfaces; acidic, nutrient-poor soils; and sunny conditions, at least initially. It can be found in disturbed quarries, bogs, and wetlands. In urban forests, the species likely will be found with some other exotic plant species. Escaped populations of European white birch tend to be relatively uncommon, and little is known about the ecological impacts of the species in North America. It can compete with native plant species for available resources.

Visit Web Source for this description...