Betula alleghaniensis
Yellow Birch
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Description:
Yellow Birch is a large deciduous tree with distinctive bark. The peeling, yellow-bronze, shiny bark has a paper-like appearance. Crushed twigs have a wintergreen-like odor. The showy catkins (elongated, drooping clusters of tiny flowers without petals) appear just before the leaves emerge. The seeds are a food source for a variety of birds. The leaves turn brilliant yellow in the fall. Yellow Birch does well in areas where the soil is shaded, cool, and moist. Trees that are planted in full sun should be mulched and watered during periods of drought. This tree is long-lived for a birch, often living over 100 years. Its strong, close-grained wood has a wide range of color variation, making it popular in furniture-making. Give this large tree plenty of room to grow! Use Yellow Birch as a canopy tree in woodland gardens, or as a shade tree in moist areas of a large yard or park.
Plant Details:
Plant Type: Tree
New Jersey Native: Yes
Bloom Times: Spring
Bloom Colors: Yellow
Deer Resistance: Some
Attracts Pollinators and Wildlife: Butterflies, Birds
Salt Tolerance: Medium
Hardiness Zone: 6a
Physiographic Region: Ridge & Valley - RV, Piedmont - P, Highland - H
Soil Characteristics
Soil Type: Loam, Organic, Sandy, Clay
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic, Slightly Acidic, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline
Light Needs of Plant
Optimal Light: Partial Shade
Light Range: Full Sun, Partial Shade
Water Needs of Plant
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Size and Growth Rate
Height: 60 - 75 ft
Spread: 50 - 65 ft
Growth Rate: Slow