Paper Birch

Description:

Paper birch is a fast growing tree, but generally short-lived, rarely living beyond 80 years. Paper birch has a low tolerance for drought, but can grow in alkaline soils and offers bright yellow leaves in the fall. It grows to about 40-70' tall. It has yellow leaves in the fall but dark green in the summer and spring. The bark starts of dark brown young on young trees but turns white with age.

Habitat:

Paper birch is the most widely distributed of the native birches. The paper birch is primarily a Canadian species, extending south to the northern 1/3 of Illinois or as far south as North Carolina in higher mountainous regions of the Appalachians. Paper birch will grow best in a cool, moist site.