SafePlants

Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)

The Paper Birch, scientifically known as Betula papyrifera, is a striking tree native to northern North America. Also commonly called white birch, canoe birch, or silver birch, it's easily recognized by its distinctive bark.

Considerations for Pets

• The tree's bark peels away from the trunk.

Considerations for Children

• The tree's bark peels away from the trunk in large, papery rolls.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Betula papyrifera
• Common Names: Paper Birch, White Birch, Canoe Birch, Silver Birch
• Family: Betulaceae (alder, birch family)
• Genus: Betula
• Synonyms: Betula alba var. papyrifera, Betula lenta var. papyrifera

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to northern North America.
• Ranges across Canada southward into the northern United States.
• Widely distributed east to west in North America, from Labrador to Alaska, south into the Northern Rocky Mountains.
• Found throughout the Adirondacks and the Catskills, and along the highlands of the Susquehanna and Delaware drainage.
• Thrives in northern climates with short, cool summers and long winters.
• Best grown in medium to wet, well-drained sandy or rocky loams.
• Prefers part shade, especially in warmer climates like St. Louis, and is best sited in a northern or eastern exposure there.
• Has excellent cold tolerance and grows in USDA hardiness zone 2, but is rarely successful in zones warmer than USDA hardiness zone 6.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Deciduous tree or shrub.
• Small to medium-sized tree, often with many stems, up to 30 meters tall.
• Loosely pyramidal when young, developing an irregular oval crown as it matures.
• In forests, it has a slender trunk that often curves.
• Known for its smooth, white, paper-like bark that can be peeled off in large pieces.
• Bark is often described as striking white, pink, or peeling brown.
• Leaves are alternate, simple, pinnately-veined, and ovate in shape.
• Leaves are simple, alternate, and doubly-toothed.
• Heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, with nearly white sapwood.
• May occasionally feature figured pieces with a wide, shallow curl.
• Flexible and waterproof bark.
• Yellow catkins appear in the spring.

Quirky Facts

• The paper birch is considered by many to be one of the most attractive native trees in North America.
• Its name, "paper birch," comes from its bark which can be peeled off in large pieces.
• The waterproof bark has a long history of being used for making canoes.
• The tree is short-lived and rarely lives more than 140 years.
• The paper birch is the provincial tree of an unspecified location.

Uses

• Leaves, sap, and lumber are used.
• Wood is used in the manufacture of furniture, toys, basketball courts, doors, canoes, and paper.
• The bark has historically been used for canoes.
• Makes a welcome addition to Northwest gardens, especially during winter.

Further Information

• The Tree Guide at arborday.org offers information on Paper Birch and other common trees.