Description
White Birch (Betula platyphylla) is a deciduous tree native to northern Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea. It is also known as Japanese white birch, Siberian silver birch, and Manchurian birch.
The tree has a slender, upright form and can grow up to 80 feet tall with a trunk diameter of up to 2 feet. The bark is white or pale grey and smooth, with horizontal lenticels. The leaves are oval-shaped and have a glossy green upper surface and a pale, hairy underside. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, and the tree produces small, winged seeds.
White Birch prefers moist, well-draining soil and full sun, but it can also grow in partial shade. It is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and is hardy in USDA zones 2-8.
The tree is not typically grown for its edible parts, but the sap can be collected in the spring and used to make syrup. The bark can also be used to make birch beer.
White Birch is often grown as an ornamental tree, and its delicate form and white bark make it a popular choice for landscaping. It is also used as a windbreak or to provide shade and shelter for other plants. The tree is attractive to birds and other wildlife, and its leaves provide food for caterpillars and other insects.
