Street Trees Part 3 – Betula (Birch)

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Birch trees have long been cherished for their bark color and texture. But they can also be cherished for their versatility and adaptability to harsh conditions.

 

birch street harsh

 

European White Birch, Betula pendula, was widely planted several decades ago but it was found to be susceptible to Bronze Birch borer.

borer 2

borer

 

There are other birch varieties that do well in adverse conditions.

River birch has become a popular street tree as a single stem,

 

birch street 2

 

not the clump form.

 

clump

 

Betula nigra, River Birch

 

nigra tree

 

has reddish-brown exfoliating bark

 

nigra bark

 

and is excellent for wet spots.

 

Betula nigra ‘Dura Heat’™ is a fast growing, upright tree that is tolerant of hot summer temperatures and is adaptable to most soils.

 

birch dura

 

 

Betula papyrifera ‘Renaissance Oasis’, Renaissance River Birch

 

oasis birch

 

is another heat tolerant selection.

Betula nigra ‘Heritage’™ has white, exfoliating bark and tolerates wet, poorly drained soils and is resistant to bronze birch borer.

 

heritage

 

Betula platyphylla var. ‘Whitespire’, Whitespire Birch is tolerant of high temperatures.

 

whitespire

whitespire

 

The white bark does not exfoliate.

 

white bark

 

There are other birch trees that lend themselves to a larger park setting. Betula papyrifera, Paper birch has distinctive white bark and can reach a height up to 50 feet.

 

paper birch

 

Birch are becoming one of the more popular trees for plant along streets

 

street tree

 

due to their year-round interest and durability.