Paper Birch Trees - Betula papyrifera

Paper Birch, American White Birch - Betula papyrifera

Paper-Bark Birch - Betula papyrifera is a large, fast growing conical ornamental tree with attractive papery, white bark - please note that this develops after some years - the bark is usually a reddish brown until 5-6 years of age when it begins to change and become "peely". Yellow catkins in the spring and the yellow-orange autumn foliage make Paper Birch an exceptional specimen tree. The waterproof bark is still used to make canoes by Native American Indians (including Hiawatha).

Betula papyrifera grows rapidly to 25m - like all memebers of the birch family, these are relatively short lived trees - do not expect your Paper Birch trees to live much past 80 years old.