White Birch (Betula papyrifera)

Sun Needs:

• Full sun to partial shade
• Best bark color and growth in full sun
• Tolerates light shade, especially in cooler climates

Bloom Time:

• Spring
• Inconspicuous catkins appear before or with leaf emergence

Size:

Height: 40 to 70 feet
Width: 25 to 35 feet

Attributes:

• Iconic white, exfoliating bark
• Bright yellow fall foliage
• Fast-growing and cold-hardy
• Provides habitat and food for birds and pollinators
• Native to northern North America

Care Tips:

• Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil
• Thrives in cool climates; struggles in hot, dry areas
• Water regularly during establishment and in dry periods
• Mulch to retain moisture and protect shallow roots
• Prune in late summer or fall to avoid sap bleeding

Pest Watch:

• Susceptible to bronze birch borer, especially in stressed trees
• Monitor for aphids, leaf miners, and fungal leaf spots
• Maintain tree health to reduce pest vulnerability