Highly popular, this birch is much loved for its graceful appearance, particularly in winter. Older trees develop a chalky white bark that does not peel. Sun to light dappled shade lovers, birches are easily grown in average, medium to wet soils. Exceptionally hardy, it performs best in cool northern climates and does poorly in heat and humid areas. Heritage, with age, tends to shed sheets of bark and is certainly more cream-colored and orange, overall. The name 'Whitespire' was incorrectly assigned to Betula platyphylla.. It provides a very nice contrast with the summer canopy of ovate, glossy, dark green leaves. Leaves are glossy, dark green turning yellowish-green in fall. This river birch is surprisingly fast growing in the nursery but quickly matures to a graceful weeping habit that controls its ultimate size. Gray birch is a narrow, pyramidal tree of cool climates. I had the pleasure and honor of meeting Mr. Earl Cully, the nurseryman who introduced the Heritage birch, last summer. We are seeking a second opinion re the white vs red birch. Birches require little care. The foliage warms up to golden-yellow in fall before shedding for the winter. It is a good selection if you want a birch tree but do not want the mature size of a River Birch tree. A beautiful, multi-branched tree prized for its highly textural, colorful, peeling bark. Smooth in young trees, the bark gets rugged at the base in older trees. Featuring an elegant, pyramidal habit, it bears ovate, toothed, lime-green leaves, 3 in. While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that It is more tolerant to drought than white-bark birches and is not attacked by bronze birch borer—great! Thrives in moist areas. Grey birch is a native species that is best know for its ability to grow on very poor soils. 1 Response. The white bark, develops fully when the tree is around 8 years old. River birch (Betula nigra): Sometimes called black birch, this species has a much darker trunk than the paper birch, but still has the characteristic flaky surface. In winter, it shows off its warm creamy-brown exfoliating bark. If pruning is necessary, prune during the dormant season and avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running. jacquemontii (Himalayan Birch), Betula ermanii 'Grayswood Hill' (Erman's Birch), Betula utilis var. Whitespire Birch has a nice narrow, pyramidal size and a chalky white bark that looks great all season long. The paper birch has leaves that can grow to 4 inches in length, and the gray birch leaves average between 2 and 3 1/2 inches long, states the University of Connecticut Plant Database website. Lawn And Garden. It is a blend of cream, tan and orange and all branches from 1” up to 10” in diameter are covered by the strongly exfoliating or peeling bark. European white birch trees have a slender trunk of perhaps a foot in width and noticeably drooping branches throughout its canopy. Problem with Whitespire Birch tree. The Royal Frost birch (Betula "Royal Frost") bears reddened leaves that strikingly contrast the peeling white bark and grows pest- and disease-free. Light Needs. The colourful, peeling bark will add interest to a winter landscape. Plants. Award-winning Betula albosinensis 'Red Panda' features a most attractive coppery-pink bark with subtle shades of caramel and honey, and abundant white lenticels (bumpy lines). You put the water to 'em, they grow fast. It has a wonderful yellow fall color. An alternate common name is "black" birch, which is reflected in the species name, nigra (Latin for "black"). jacquemontii 'Grayswood Ghost' (Himalayan Birch), Betula albosinensis var. Make sure to plant this tree where soil is likely to remain cool. However, the leaves of river birch will become chlorotic (turn yellow) if grown in alkaline soils, which dominate our state. A Whitespire birch "clump" is where there are more than 3 trunks … Bark color and texture Young trees have a reddish-brown color, older trees develop a chalky white bark that does not peel. Classic, Fast-Growing Ornamental Tree Why Heritage® River Birch Trees? Gray birch bark does not come off the tree without much difficulty. The whitest bark of all birches belongs to the Himalayan birch, Betula utilis. Would be suitable birch exist on the same tree, and this adds a most sight! Spectacular in winter, it is now assigned to Betula platyphylla var triangular patches form on bark, it alternately. Using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist pyramidal form and young branches the. In love with whitespire birch displays chalk-white bark that looks great all season.! 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