They form in early autumn and remain rigid during the winter. You will notice that all birches have alternate leaves, with each leaf on the twig growing by itself, with one leaf at each node. Shadow Puppets - The wood of all the species is close-grained with satiny texture and capable of taking a fine polish; its fuel value is fair. It will grow in a variety of conditions, though it favors wet but well-drained sites with a rocky, nutrient-poor, acidic soil. River birch may also be known as red birch, black birch, or water birch. Thayne Tuason / Wikimedia Commons / CC By 4.0. Other common names for this tree include western birch, red birch, river birch, black birch, and western red birch. Silver birch is a pioneer tree. Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, Herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist with decades of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. Most birches are characterized by distinctive bark with papery plates; the appearance of the bark often is the feature that gives the species its common names. Staminate catkins hang down from twigs during the winter months and pistallate catkins bud off the ends of short-spur like branches. It is closely related to the beech-oak family Fagaceae. This tree also attracts beautiful butterflies to the landscape, but is resistant to the bronze birch borer which can devastate other species of birch. A main requirement is consistently moist soil. The beautiful bark and leaves make birches a common choice in landscaping, but they are relatively short-lived trees when compared to other hardwoods. You will find a lot of wonderful information on birch trees, including information about the birch tree species, planting information, and much more.. addthis_pub = 'cmbl'; Fireplace Pictures - Birch is the name of a certain tree of the genus Betula, in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. Birch trees offer interesting bark color and texture and attractive foliage, but they are relatively short-lived and they may suffer from a susceptibility to diseases and insects, especially the bronze birch borer. Play Touch Games - A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, which also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams. Other names for this tree include bog birch and arctic birch. Each calyx bears four short filaments with one-celled anthers or strictly, two filaments divided into two branches, each bearing a half-anther. It is a medium-sized tree with a single trunk that quickly branches out into a pyramid shape. Yellow birch, named for the color of its bark, is a relatively long-lived birch which typically grows 150 years and may even grow up to 300 years in old-growth forests. By keeping your trees well pruned and free of damaged branches, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of infestation by bronze birch borer or other insects. Birch Trees. The silver birch has pointed, triangular leaves. The flowers are monoecious, opening with or before the leaves and borne on three-flowered clusters in the axils of the scales of drooping or erect aments. This tree is a source of food and lodge material for the common North American beaver. Bog birch is a good choice for rain gardens. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Yellow birch may be known regionally as swamp birch, curly birch, gold birch, or hard birch. Enjoy these Tree Pictures. Insect pests are most likely to strike a birch tree in areas where it is wounded or diseased. They differ from the alders (Alnus, other genus in the family) in that the female catkins are not woody and disintegrate at maturity, falling apart to release the seeds, unlike the woody cone-like female alder catkins. Look for what botanists call catkins on male birch trees. The ornamental interest of Himalayan birch includes pretty spring flowers, rich yellow fall color, and bright white papery bark. Exact details such as growing zones and height will depend on the particular variety. Birch trees belong to the genus Betula and are classified as part of the Betulaceae family of plants. In this Birch Tree Pictures category you will find lots of nice pictures of birch trees. Although it prefers full sun, the Japanese White Birch thrives in northern and eastern exposures that receivs some afternoon shade. The simple leaves are alternate, singly or doubly serrate, feather-veined, petiolate and stipulate. It can grow either as a single-trunk tree or in small clumps with multiple trunks. The Silver birch has an attractive pendulous habit and distinctive white bark that peels away in papery strips. However, the roots might head for your plumbing pipes if a large tree is planted too close to your house. Can you tell them apart? You will find a lot of wonderful information on birch trees, including information about the birch tree species, planting information, and much more. Shiny, red-brown bark and yellow foliage make this an attractive tree for lawns and naturalized areas. The buds form early and are full grown by midsummer, all are lateral, no terminal bud is formed; the branch is prolonged by the upper lateral bud. All are alternate, doubly serrate, feather-veined, petiolate, and stipulate. Each scale bears two bractlets and three sterile flowers, each flower consisting of a sessile, membranaceous, usually two-lobed, calyx.