Betula papyrifera
This deciduous medium sized tree grows 40- 70 feet with a pyramidal or irregular crown, often with several trunks. Branches are slender, dull red-brown, numerous lighter lenticels, lacking wintergreen smell when cut; spur shoots present on older growth. Bark is reddish brown, later turning chalky to creamy white, peeling in horizontal papery strips; brown to black and may be furrowed at base; orange inner bark. Leaves are 2 - 3 1/2 inches long.
Planting Considerations:
Occurs in cool, moist well-drained sites in the sun. Popular landscaping tree. As with any newly planted tree, it should be watered during the dry season for the first 2-3 years until it becomes established. They should be planted 3-4 feet apart for best success, but expect some mortality.
Planting Problems:
None noted.