White Birch (Paper Birch) vs Sweet Birch (Black Birch)

White Birch is a large, attractive deciduous tree. This fast-growing, cold hardy species has distinctive white papery bark that peels in layers, making it a beautiful ornamental or accent tree. White Birch also makes great firewood.

Sweet Birch (Black Birch) is an attractive tree with a rounded shape native to eastern North America that would be a good addition to landscapes. It has a conical growth shape when young and as it ages the shape becomes more rounded. When the leaves, shoots, or bark are crushed they give off a sweet scent, which is what gives the Sweet Birch its name.

In early spring, the trees can be tapped and the sap used to produce syrup or fermented and made into birch beer. Pollinators and birds are attracted to the Sweet Birch as the pollen and seeds serve as a good food source. In the fall, the leaves turn golden yellow which will brighten your landscape.

The inner bark has a strong wintergreen scent and has been used to produce oil of wintergreen. Small twigs and bark of the tree can be boiled in water to make a tasty Sweet Birch tea.

Compare White Birch (Paper Birch) with

Compare Sweet Birch (Black Birch) with