Description of Plant

Leaf: Leaves are 4 - 8 cm in length and are ovate and oblong. They have double serration and young usually have 7 - 9 veins on each side.

Flower: The flowers are tiny in long dropping catkins near the tips of the twigs and appear in the early spring. The male flowers are yellowish with 2 stamens and the female are greenish in short upright catkins.

Cones: The cones are 2.5 - 4 cm in length with hairy scales and hairy 2 winged nutlets that mature in late spring or early summer.

Twigs: Reddish-brown and slender.

Bark: The bark is silvery gray and separates into papery scales that become thick and shaggy looking.

Form: This tree can reach a height of 40 - 80 feet, is often leaning and forked, with an irregular spreading crown.

Discussion of Plant

This tree is also known as the River Birch. Its ability to adapt to its environment makes it a much sought after tree for erosion problems.

Copyright

© Sue Grabowski, Gail Slowinski, Carl Schurz High School 2003

References

Coombes, Allen, J, Smithsonian Handbook of Trees, Dorling Kindersley, London, 2002.

Little, Elbert, L., Field Guide to Trees, Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 1980.

Symonds, George, W.D., The Tree Identification Book, Quill Publishing, New York, N.Y. 1958.