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Betula populifolia
Betula populifolia Marshall
Gray Birch, White Birch, Aspen-leaved Birch
Betulaceae (Birch Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: bepo
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Gray Birch is a narrow, columnar, single- or multi-trunked tree, 35-50 ft. Small, bushy tree with open, conical crown of short slender branches reaching nearly to the ground; more often a clump of several slightly leaning trunks from an old stump. The white, non-peeling bark becomes darker with age. Dark-green leaves turn yellow in fall.
A pioneer tree on clearings, abandoned farms, and burned areas, Gray Birch grows rapidly but is short-lived. A nurse tree, it shades and protects seedlings of the larger, long-lived forest trees. The wood is used for spools and other turned articles and for firewood. Its trunks are so flexible that when weighted with snow, the upper branches may bend to the ground without breaking. The long-stalked leaves dance in the slightest breeze.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Fruit Type: Samara
Size Notes: Up to about 50 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Green.
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Brown.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Green , BrownBloom Time: Apr
Distribution
USA: CT , DE , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , VA , VT , WVCanada: NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Maritime provinces to NJ & VA, scattered w. to n.e. IL
Native Habitat: Wet to dry woods; lake margins; old fields
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Wet to dry, poor soils.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Songbirds, ground birds and mammalsAttracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) Larval Host |
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FAC | FAC | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Betula populifolia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Betula populifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Betula populifolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-03-09Research By: TWC Staff