White Birch (Paper Birch)

It's no mystery where the white paper birch earned its name - the paper birch is known for its thin, peeling layers that come off of its trunk like paper. This species is native to northern North America, prominently in Canada. It tends to become stressed in warmer climates; in Indiana, it is considered vulnerable, likely due to the changing climates causing warmer year-round weather.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Betula papyrifera

HISTORY: Unsurprisingly, the papery nature of the bark allowed people of long ago to peel the layers and use pieces as a way to write messages. Native Americans got many uses out of white birch trees; they could make canoes (lending this tree the nickname of "canoe birch"), buckets, and baskets from its wood, as well as many medicinal products - such as casts for broken bones and treatment for skin problems, dysentery, and blood diseases. The Shuswap Native Americans made shampoo and soap from leaves. Stone-age gatherers would chew birch gum, which had both disinfectant and "buzz"-like effects.

LEAVES: Paper birches have simple, alternate, ovate or triangular dark green leaves that change to yellow in the fall.

FRUIT/CONE/NUT/SEEDS: Paper birches produce cylindrical clusters of winged nutlets.

FLOWERS: The flowers grow in catkins (long, thin clusters that lack petals) and are inconspicuous.

BARK: The bark is distinctive - it is paper white and peels easily. Sometimes, the lower trunk can become darker near the base.

HEIGHT: Paper birches can attain heights of 50-70 feet.

USES: Paper birches have several uses from many different parts of the tree. Its sap can be tapped in the spring to make beer, syrup, wine, or vinegar; its inner bark can be turned into meal and used as thickener in soups or in flour to make bread; its root bark and young leaves can be used to make tea; and the sap and inner bark can also be used as a source of emergency food. The wood is used commercially for pulpwood, plywood, veneer, and turnery.

SOURCES:

https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/paper-birch/#cultivars

https://shop.arborday.org/paper-birch

https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_bepa.pdf

The Beardsley Avenue District Tree Tour is generously sponsored by Kallimani Tree Services.