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| Leaf Photo by: Steven J. Baskauf |
Bark Photo by: Rob Routledge |
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| Fruit Photo by: Sean Fox |
Tree Photo by: Sean Fox |
Before commercial production, oil of wintergreen was distilled from the twigs and wood of cherry birch.
Cherry birch is only known to be native to Ontario from a single site near St. Catharines. It is listed as provincially and nationally Endangered and is protected under the Endangered Species Act, 2007.
Cherry birch looks similar to yellow birch with oval-shaped leaves, a pointed tip and toothed edges. It is a smaller tree at maturity, with dark red-black bark that doesn’t peel, hairy buds and twigs that smell strongly of wintergreen when scratched.
Our native population is threatened by residential development and land clearing in the area. Many trees over 200 years old have been found in the Northeastern United States.
Size: Up to 20 m tall
Moisture: Prefers moist sites but adaptable to dry once established
Shade: Tolerant of shade or full sun
Soil: Prefers rich soils
Planting Tip: If you are interested in planting cherry birch as part of the Recovery Strategy, contact your local Ministry of Natural Resources Species at Risk biologist. More tips...
