What is special about birch trees?

Birch requires well-drained soil, enough moisture and direct sunlight for the proper growth. It usually grows near the lakes and rivers. Birch is known as pioneer species because it easily populates habitats destroyed by fire. This plant is mainly cultivated because of its ornamental morphology and high-quality wood.

How would you describe a birch tree?

Physical description A birch has smooth, resinous, varicoloured or white bark, marked by horizontal pores (lenticels), which usually peels horizontally in thin sheets, especially on young trees. On older trunks the thick, deeply furrowed bark breaks into irregular plates.

Where is birch commonly found?

Birch (Betula), genus of trees and shrubs of birch family (Betulaceae). About 50 species are found in Arctic and northern temperate regions worldwide. Ten species are native to Canada: 6 trees and 4 shrubs.

What environment do birch trees like?

Because birch are shallow-rooted, they prefer a location where the soil remains cool and moist while exposing the canopy to ample sunlight (about 6 hours daily). The ideal spot is the north or east side of a building, where the tree will receive full sun in the morning and some shade during the afternoon.

Why do birch trees have eyes?

Captured in ancient lore, this tree is said to have “eyes” that served as guides along arduous mountain journeys so that any traveler would be seen safely home. The trunks and branches of the White Birch stand out strongly in the shadow of the forest.

How long do birch trees live?

A healthy birch tree should be able to survive and thrive for 40-50 years. In many yards, however, it is not unusual for birch trees, especially the white-barked birches, to die well before reaching 20 years of age.

Does a birch tree have a fruit?

The fruit is a small samara, although the wings may be obscure in some species. They differ from the alders (Alnus, another genus in the family) in that the female catkins are not woody and disintegrate at maturity, falling apart to release the seeds, unlike the woody, cone-like female alder catkins.

What color is birch?

Birch is a native hardwood that comes from the genus Betula. There are over a dozen species of birch trees native to North America, but the most common are white birch, yellow birch, and black birch….Birch Wood.

Color	Pale white to reddish-brown or yellow
Common Uses	Plywood, Crates, Toothpicks, Shelving

Is birch a tree?

A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus Betula (/ˈbɛtjʊlə/), in the family Betulaceae, which also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams. It is closely related to the beech-oak family Fagaceae.

How fast do birch trees grow?

about 1.5 feet per year
River birch trees grow rather quickly, at a rate of about 1.5 feet per year. By the age of 20 years, they usually are between 30 and 40 feet tall. Sweet birch trees (Betula lenta) are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8.

Are birch trees good?

The beautiful bark and leaves make birches a common choice in landscaping, but they are relatively short-lived trees when compared to other hardwoods, and many are susceptible to damage from insects and diseases. Most birches are water lovers, which can be great if you have soil that tends to be moist.

What diseases do birch trees have?

Birch trees are susceptible to a number of fungal infections that will rot the center of the tree’s trunk and branches in a disease called “heart rot”. Infections of Fomes fomentarius, Daedalia species and Polyporus squamosus fungi occur most often when a tree is injured, pruned too severely or develops a “conk,” a fungus growth on the trunk.

What can birch trees be used for?

Birch tree Facts. Seeds and bark of the birch are source of food for forest animals such as rabbits, deer and birds. Wood of birch tree is highly flammable. It can catch a fire even when it is wet. Because of that, birch tree is used as high-quality firewood.

What is the lifespan of a birch tree?

Birch trees are a popular choice among homeowners for their distinctive bark and their delicate foliage. The birch is a difficult tree to grow and though they have a life expectancy of 40 to 50 years, many trees die before reaching their 20th year.

What eats birch trees?

The birch leafminer (Fenusa pusilla) is a common pest found on birch trees. The leafminer, a small white worm, will eat out the middle of leaves, which then turn brown. Most damage will not exceed 40 percent of the tree, according to the University of Minnesota Extension.