Yellow Birch vs Water Birch (Red Birch) - TreeTime.ca

Yellow Birch vs Water Birch (Red Birch)

Betula occidentalis

Betula alleghaniensis

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

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Yellow Birch

Water Birch, also known as Red Birch, is a waterside plant native to western North America. This multi-stemmed species is ideal for wetlands. It tolerates being planted in heavy clay and wet soil conditions.

This tree grows small enough for yards with limited space.

It is an attractive ornamental with reddish non-peeling bark.

Yellow Birch is a large and valuable hardwood species in northeastern North America. The bark on its limbs and young trunks is silvery-yellowish in colour, hence the name. This tree prefers to grow in cool regions with damp or saturated soil.

Yellow Birch can be tapped for syrup, like Sugar Maple. Although the sap has less sugar content, it flows in greater quantity than maple trees.

Water Birch (Red Birch) Quick Facts

Yellow Birch Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 18 m (60 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: low


Fall colour: bright yellow
Bark: non-peeling, shiny, reddish brown and marked with white horizontal streaks
Bark: shiny yellow to grey silver peels in curly strips, becomes reddish brown when older
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: yes


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, YT, NT, NU
Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Other Names: red birch
Other Names: golden birch