Paper Birch

Description:

Paper birch have bright white bark that begins to peel on older trees, revealing a salmon coloured under bark that turns black with age. The leaves are dark green with a wide rounded base that comes to a sharp point. This specimen is a bright gold which is typical for a paper birch durning the autumn. This trees is approximately 10 meters tall but paper birch have been known to reach 30 meters. The shorter stature of this tree could be due to its close proximity to a building and sidewalk, which can hinder root growth.

Habitat:

Paper birch can be found all over northern North America as they prefer a cooler climate. This specimen is found in the Olds College Botanic Gardens. Its in a mulch bed near the North/West side of the Metals building.

Notes:

This paper birch appears to be dying at the top, though it is difficult to tell during the autumn when the tree is shedding its leaves. Large branches have been pruned off indicating there may have been prior problems with the tree. There is a large lump on the bottom of the tree that appears to be some sort of fungal infection. There is also a large amount of lichen growth near the trunk which can sometimes be an indicator that the tree is struggling.