About
Paper birch is a medium sized tree native to every region in Canada and most northern US states; widely used for landscaping parks, estates, and residential areas. The bark provides nice winter interest, vibrant fall colour, and the tree tolerates a variety of soil types. Paper birch does, however, need adequate moisture and sunlight in order to survive and thrive.
Leaves are ovate to triangular with a pointed tips and double-toothed margins. The upper surface is dull green, lighter and slightly hairy on the bottom. Leaves turn pale yellow in the fall.
Twigs are dark red to near black; mature bark is smooth, peeling off in horizontal strips. older tree bark has black fissures at the base of the trunk. Though usually white, bark colour can be reddish brown depending on the tree's climatic location. Female seed catkins are erect at branch tips and male catkins are longer, hanging down in clusters. Seeds shed from September onward.
The wood is useful for a variety of applications from furniture to plywood; uniformly grained, hard, and machines well but isn't rot resistant. The bark has traditionally been used by natives to make canoes. Seeds, buds, and leaves are widely used as a winter food source by various wildlife.
References
British Columbia. (n.d.). Paper birch. Retrieved from https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/treebook/paperbirch.htm
Natural Resources Canada. (2015). White birch. Retrieved from https://tidcf.nrcan.gc.ca/en/trees/factsheet/16
Tree Atlas - Ontario. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.ontario.ca/page/white-birch
Tree Canada. (n.d.). Saskatchewan — White birch. Retrieved from https://treecanada.ca/resources/canadas-arboreal-emblems/white-birch/
Growing From Seed
Growing from seed is one of the most economical and satisfying ways to build a native plant garden. The table shows brief planting instructions, including how long and what kind of stratification this plant needs. For further information on stratification and seed preparation please refer to our article: Preparing To Grow Wild Plant Seeds
| Seeds/Packet | Coming soon... |
|---|---|
| Seeds/Gram | Coming soon... |
| Cost/Gram | Price coming soon... For bulk orders (min $20) |
| Dormancy Treatment | Coming soon... |
| Seeding Instructions | Coming soon... |
Growing From Plants
Seedlings are a more economical option than established plants and an easier start than growing from seed. Our plants are shipped in soil blocks or plug trays. Plants do surprizingly well in the mail but need special care upon arrival. Please see Planting Mail Order Seedlings for information on how to plant and care for seedlings.
Shipping
We currently ship seeds to all Canadian provinces and ship plants just within the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Seeds ship year-round and usually take a few days (or longer if you are ordering from a distant province). It usually takes 2-5 business days in the mail for plant orders once shipped. Plants are generally available from May to September and can be reserved during off season; Shipping costs are calculated during checkout. Seed orders over $100 ship free! See Shipping for more details.