Maine Tree Species Fact Sheet

Common Names: White Birch (American White Birch, Paper Birch, Canoe Birch, Marsh Birch)
Botanical Name: Betula papyrifera Marshall
Tree Type: Deciduous

Physical Description:

Growth Habit: The White Birch tree grows in all parts of Maine and mostly northern regions in hardiness zones 1-5.  It is seen in open woods and cutover areas, along streams, lakes, ponds, and swamps.  It thrives in rich, moist soils.  It can maintain itself on higher slopes of mountains.

Height: The White Birch tree grows 60-80 feet and has a diameter of 12-24 inches.

Shape: The tree can form an open, narrow and round-topped head.

Fruit/Seed Description/Dispersal Methods: The White Birch flowers in the spring before the leaves open.  The flowers are in catkins.  The fruit of white birch is a cone-like structure, 1inch long, 1/3 inch thick, usually pendent rather than erect.  The nutlets and bracts fall in late autumn and winter as with other birches.

Range Within Maine: The white birch is common in all parts of the state.

Distinguishing Features: Distinguishing features of the White Birch include white bark that peels in papery layers in older trees.  The bark is reddish-brown in saplings.  The leaves are ovate and doubly toothed.  The buds of white birch are sticky when squeezed.

Interesting Facts: Spools, clothespins, woodenware, shoe lasts, wood pulp, and fuel wood are made from the White Birch’s light, strong, tough, hard, light brown wood.  Birch lumber is used in cabinet making and for interior finishing.  The bark was once used in making canoes and wigwam covering.

Relationship to Wildlife: Grouse eat the seeds and buds from White Birch.  Moose, Deer and snowshoe hare wigs are browsed by deer, moose and snowshoe hare.

Landscape Use: The White Birch is the most popular of the birches for ornamental use and is less susceptible to severe attacks of the birch borer than European birch.

Common Problems or Pests of the Tree in Maine: Pests of the White Birch include leafminers, aphids, bronze birch borers, and the birch skeletonizer.  A tree disease known as “dieback” can occur in birches and is caused by fungi that attack trees weakened by drought.

References:

Forest Trees of Maine, Twelfth Edition.  Maine Forest Service/Department of Conservation. 1995.

Know Your Trees. Cope, J.A. and F.E. Winch. Cornell Cooperative Extension. 1992.

 A Field Guide to Eastern Trees, Peterson Field Guides, George Petrides, Houghton Mifflin Company 1988

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