{"id":2095,"date":"2010-06-11T16:22:39","date_gmt":"2010-06-11T20:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/?page_id=2095"},"modified":"2025-08-25T10:48:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T14:48:23","slug":"2567e","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2567e\/","title":{"rendered":"Bulletin #2567, Native Trees and Shrubs for Maine Landscapes: Gray Birch (<em>Betula populifolia<\/em>)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Developed by Marjorie Peronto, Associate Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension; and Reeser C. Manley, Assistant Professor of Horticulture, University of Maine.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/\">extension.umaine.edu<\/a>.<\/strong><br><strong>Find more of our publications and books at <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/\">extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Go native!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This series of publications is the result of a five-year research project that evaluated the adaptability of a variety of native trees and shrubs to the stresses of urban and residential landscapes in Maine. Non-native invasive plants pose a serious threat to Maine&#8217;s biodiversity. Plants such as Japanese barberry, shrubby honeysuckle, and Asiatic bittersweet, originally introduced for their ornamental features, have escaped from our landscapes, colonizing natural areas and displacing native plants and animals. By landscaping with native plants, we can create vegetation corridors that link fragmented wild areas, providing food and shelter for the native wildlife that is an integral part of our ecosystem. Your landscape choices can have an impact on the environment that goes far beyond your property lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Description<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2010\/06\/Betula_populifolia-rm.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"212\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2010\/06\/Betula_populifolia-rm-212x300.jpg\" alt=\"Betula populifolia. \" class=\"wp-image-2096\" style=\"width:370px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2010\/06\/Betula_populifolia-rm-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2010\/06\/Betula_populifolia-rm-99x140.jpg 99w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2010\/06\/Betula_populifolia-rm.jpg 216w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,212px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Reeser C. Manley<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Form:<\/strong> a narrow, columnar tree with open branching<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Size:<\/strong> 35 to 50 feet in height, 20 to 35 feet in width<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ornamental characteristics:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>smooth, chalky white bark with prominent, black, triangular patches where branches intersect the trunk clear<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>yellow autumn foliage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Landscape Use<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Gray birch is a pioneer tree, springing up in clear-cuts and burned areas and providing shade for emerging seedlings. It is often found growing with other pioneers such as quaking and bigtooth aspens (<em>Populus tremuloides <\/em>and <em>P. grandidentata<\/em>) and paper birch (<em>Betula papyrifera<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a landscape plant, gray birch offers a welcome alternative to the too frequently used paper birch. Its tolerance for many stresses, including soil compaction and drought, makes it suitable for difficult sites where other trees would fail. Among our native birches, it offers the greatest resistance to bronze birch borer and suffers only occasional leaf miner damage. \u2018Whitespire\u2019 is an exceptional cultivar with whiter bark than the species. It is especially attractive as a multi-trunk tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Culture<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-2097 size-medium\">\n<figure class=\"alignright is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"146\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2010\/06\/gs-betula_populifoliu-146x300.jpg\" alt=\"Betula populifolia\" class=\"wp-image-2097\" style=\"width:370px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2010\/06\/gs-betula_populifoliu-146x300.jpg 146w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2010\/06\/gs-betula_populifoliu-68x140.jpg 68w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2010\/06\/gs-betula_populifoliu.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 146px) 100vw, 146px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Drawing by Margery Read<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Hardiness:<\/strong> USDA zone 4a<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Soil requirements:<\/strong> tolerant of a wide variety of soils<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Light requirements:<\/strong> full sun<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stress tolerances:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>soil compaction \u2014 tolerant<br>pollution \u2014 intolerant<br>deicing salts \u2014 tolerant<br>urban heat islands \u2014 tolerant<br>drought \u2014 tolerant<br>seasonal flooding \u2014 tolerant<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Insect and disease problems:<\/strong> infrequent<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Wildlife Value<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Gray birch is host to caterpillars of several species of butterfly, including Eastern and Canadian tiger swallowtails, white admiral, mourning cloak, Compton tortoiseshell, and dreamy duskywing. Juncos, blue jays, titmice, chickadees, waxwings, and other birds eat its flower buds and seeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Maintenance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Irrigation:<\/strong> During the establishment period, defined as one year after planting for each inch of trunk diameter at planting time, water your trees regularly during the growing season. Give the root zone of each tree 1 inch of water per week; in general, a tree&#8217;s root zone extends twice as wide as its canopy. After the establishment period, provide supplemental irrigation during periods of severe drought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fertilization:<\/strong> Landscape trees and shrubs should not be fertilized unless a soil test indicates a need. Correct soil pH, if necessary, by amending the backfill soil. No nitrogen fertilizer should be added at planting or during the first growing season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>To learn more about native woody plants<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit the Eastern Maine Native Plant Arboretum at University of Maine Cooperative Extension&#8217;s Penobscot County office, 307 Maine Avenue in Bangor. Established in 2004, the arboretum displays 24 different native tree and shrub species that can be used in managed landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Reviewed by Cathy Neal, Extension professor, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension.<br>Photos by Reeser C. Manley.<br>Illustration by Margery Read, Extension Master Gardener.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/maine.gov\/doc\/mfs\/projectcanopy\/index.htm\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"108\" height=\"111\" src=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2010\/06\/projectcanopylogo.jpg\" alt=\"project canopy logo\" class=\"wp-image-1732\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2010\/06\/projectcanopylogo.jpg 108w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2010\/06\/projectcanopylogo-105x108.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2010\/06\/projectcanopylogo-32x32.jpg 32w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 108px) 100vw, 108px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>This series of publications and the associated research were made possible in part by the Maine Forest Service\u2019s Project Canopy.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a9 2008<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Call 800.287.0274 (in Maine), or 207.581.3188, for information on publications and program offerings from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, or visit <a href=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\">extension.umaine.edu<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.edu\/title-ix\/\">www.maine.edu\/title-ix\/<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Developed by Marjorie Peronto, Associate Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension; and Reeser C. Manley, Assistant Professor of Horticulture, University of Maine. For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu.Find more of our publications and books at extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/. Go native! This series of publications is the result of a five-year research project [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":277,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2095","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Bulletin #2567, Native Trees and Shrubs for Maine Landscapes: Gray Birch (Betula populifolia) - Cooperative Extension Publications - University of Maine Cooperative Extension<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Gray birch is a pioneer tree, springing up in clear-cuts and burned areas and providing shade for emerging seedlings. 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