Ontario's Tree Atlas: White Birch (Betula papyrifera)

Leaf
Photo by: Louis-M. Landry,
University of California
Bark
Photo by: Louis-M. Landry,
University of California
Catkin
Photo by: Daniel Tigner,
Canadian Forest Tree Essences
Tree
Photo by: Daniel Tigner,
Canadian Forest Tree Essences

Did you know?
Peeling off too much of the white birch’s bark can kill the tree.

The white birch is found everywhere in Ontario except for along the shore of Hudson Bay.  It’s a medium sized tree that can be 25 metres tall.

 

The tree’s trunk is covered in thin smooth white bark which peels off in large sheets.  Bark from the white birch is very strong and pliable – it can be used to make canoes.  Buds, leaves and seeds from the white birch are a great source of food for birds and animals.

 

Leaves from the white birch tree are egg-shaped or triangular in shape and are 5 to 10 centimetres long.  They are dull green on top and lighter green and slightly hairy underneath. 

 

Size: 25 metres tall, trunk is 60 centimetres in diameter
Moisture:  Can tolerate a variety of moisture levels
Shade:  Intolerant - needs full sun
Soil:  Can tolerate a variety of soils

 

Where you can plant this tree in Ontario:

 

  • Addington Central
  • Addington Northern
  • Addington Southern
  • Algoma Eastern
  • Belleville Northern
  • Belleville Southern
  • Bruce Eastern
  • Bruce Northern
  • Bruce Western
  • Dufferin Eastern
  • Dufferin Southern
  • Dundas
  • Durham Central
  • Durham Northern
  • Durham Southern
  • Frontenac Central
  • Frontenac Northern
  • Frontenac Southern
  • Glengarry
  • Grenville Central
  • Grenville Eastern
  • Grenville Western
  • Grey
  • Haliburton Northern
  • Haliburton Southern
  • Haliburton Western
  • Halton Eastern
  • Halton Northern
  • Halton Southern
  • Halton Western
  • Hamilton Eastern
  • Hamilton Northern
  • Hastings Central
  • Hastings Northern
  • Hastings Southwestern
  • Huron Central
  • Huron Eastern
  • Huron Western
  • Kawartha Lakes Central
  • Kawartha Lakes Northern
  • Kawartha Lakes Southern
  • Kingston Eastern
  • Kingston Western
  • Lanark Eastern
  • Lanark Western
  • Leeds Central
  • Leeds Eastern
  • Leeds Western
  • Lennox Central
  • Lennox Northern
  • Lennox Southern
  • Middlesex Northern
  • Muskoka
  • Niagara Northern
  • Nipissing Eastern
  • Nipissing Northern
  • Nipissing Southern
  • Northumberland
  • Ottawa Eastern
  • Ottawa Southern
  • Ottawa Western
  • Oxford Northern
  • Parry Sound Central
  • Parry Sound Eastern
  • Parry Sound Northern
  • Peel Central
  • Peel Eastern
  • Peel Western
  • Perth Northern
  • Perth Southern
  • Peterborough Central
  • Peterborough Northern
  • Peterborough Southern
  • Prince Edward City
  • Quinte West Northern
  • Quinte West Southern
  • Renfrew Eastern
  • Renfrew Northern
  • Renfrew Southern
  • Simcoe Northern
  • Simcoe Southern
  • Stormont
  • Toronto
  • Waterloo Northern
  • Wellington Northern
  • Wellington Southern
  • York Central
  • York Northern
  • York Southern

Planting tip:  White birch trees are often used in landscaping because they will grow almost anywhere as long as they get enough sunlight. More tips...