European White Birch vs Bog Birch - TreeTime.ca

European White Birch vs Bog Birch

Betula pendula

Betula pumila

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

European White Birch
Bog Birch

European White Birch is a mid-sized shade tree native to Eurasia. This deciduous tree has a pyramidal form when young, maturing into a rounded crown with arched branches and drooping branchlets.

The trunk is slender, with white bark featuring black diamond-shaped lenticels. European White Birch is an ideal landscape tree for parks and gardens.

Similar to the Cutleaf Weeping Birch, this species is a popular ornamental.

Note: Unfortunately this difficult to grow species is not currently scheduled to grow at TreeTime.ca. Perhaps try purchasing seed from SeedTime.ca and growing your own? Or sign up for a restock notification above.

Bog Birch is a hardy, deciduous shrub native to North America. It thrives in wetlands, riparian zones, and boreal forests, and can be found as far north as the Arctic Circle—making it one of the few woody plants to grow in such extreme climates.

In Western Canada, it is especially common in moist lowlands, along streambanks, and in peatlands. Beyond its ecological role in stabilizing soils and supporting wildlife, Bog Birch is frequently used in reclamation and restoration projects due to its resilience and ability to establish quickly in disturbed or degraded landscapes.

Note: We use Bog Birch for Betula pumila. This species is also known by many other common names, including Dwarf Birch, Swamp Birch, and others. Please confirm the scientific name to ensure you are ordering the correct plant.

European White Birch Quick Facts

Bog Birch Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 15 m (49 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Fall colour: bright yellow
Fall colour: red-orange
Seeds: located within catkins
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: silver birch, weeping birch
Other Names: dwarf birch, low birch, scrub birch, swamp birch