Birch
ExploreTrees
Birch
Betula
Birch trees have white bark that peels like paper. They grow tall and have small, green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. Birch trees provide homes for birds and insects.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Birch is famous for its distinctive peeling bark, often bright white, silver, or sometimes bronze, with horizontal lines called lenticels. Its slender branches hold oval, toothed leaves that turn golden in autumn, making it stand out in any forest.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyAsteliaceaeGenusAstelia
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient people used birch bark as one of the very first paper-like writing materials!
Birch sap can be tapped in spring to make syrup, tasting a bit like maple!
Birch wood is tough, flexible, and has been used to make everything from canoes to furniture!
Its papery bark is famously waterproof and can even light a fire when wet!
Special abilities
Ability
Peeling Protection
Birch has a multi-layered, papery bark that peels off, helping it shed parasites and grow without cracking.
Ability
Quick Colonizer
Birch can grow quickly, allowing it to rapidly establish itself in open areas after disturbances like fires.
Ability
Wind Travel
Birch produces tiny, winged seeds (samaras) that are easily carried by the wind to new locations to reproduce.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-30 m
- Canopy Spread
- 5-10 m
- Edible
- Yes
- Trunk Diameter
- 30-60 cm
- Lifespan
- 50-150 years
- Fruit Type
- Samara
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
Ecological connections
eats
Birch Bark Beetle
Scolytus betulae
larvae burrow into and feed on the inner bark
eats
Red Deer
Cervus elaphus
browses on young twigs, leaves, and bark during winter
depends on
Tinder Fungus
Fomes fomentarius
grows on decaying birch wood, helping decomposition
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
visits birch catkins, collecting pollen in spring
Traits
Mycorrhizal
This trait describes a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and the roots of a plant, benefiting both organisms.
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Winter Interest
Winter Interest refers to plants that provide aesthetic appeal through their foliage, bark, berries, or structure during the winter season.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Cold Hardy
Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
birch family
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Enjoy looking at birch trees from a safe distance and avoid climbing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Birch?
15-30 m
How wide does Birch spread?
5-10 m
Is Birch edible?
Yes
How big is Birch?
30-60 cm
How long does Birch live?
50-150 years
Where is Birch usually found?
Forests
What kind of fruit does Birch produce?
Samara
How fast does Birch grow?
Medium
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