The European White Birch is common in its native northern Europe. It has been used in landscaping in eastern North America. It used to be more commonly used in the Midwestern and Eastern US back in the 1950's into the 1980's than now. The biggest reason is that it easily gets stressed by hot temperatures (over 85 degrees F) and drought, and then is killed off by the Bronze Birch Borer when about 20 years old, which happens mostly in USDA Zones 5 & 6. This American native insect attacks stressed or dying birches first at the top and works its way down, leaving D-shaped black exit holes and making some little bumps on the bark. The European White Birch is a very pretty tree that has somewhat of a weeping habit as its scientific name (Betula pendula) suggests. Its small triangular leaves get to about 3 inches long x 1.5 inches wide and turn an average or poor yellow in the fall. Its white bark is tight and not peeling like Paper Birch. (The Gray Birch that is native to southeast Canada and the northeastern US is similar, but with larger leaves of 3.5 inches long x 2 inches wide and having a much longer apex (leaf tip); has an irregular habit that is not as weeping; eventually gets some gray bands on the bark; and is resistant to heat and drought.)

Reply to this comment

This tree is planted everywhere!

Reply to this comment