Paper Bark Birch Saplings

Betula Papyrifera Hedging

Paper Birch, Betula papyrifera, has ornamental peeling bark when it is mature. The outer layer of the bark is grey-white, revealing a mild orange-pink tint as it peels back. The tree is quite narrow and upright, suitable for medium sized garden. It will grow on most reasonably fertile soils apart from chalk and it likes damp sites near water. It requires full sun.
Paper Birch is not suitable for a clipped hedge. It can be grown as a screening tree up to about 25 metres high.
The plants on this page are young saplings. You can also buy larger Paper Birch trees here.

Browse all of our other varieties of Birch trees for sale or see our full range of hedging options.

Paper Birch plants are only delivered bareroot, during winter (Nov-March).

Choosing a size: When you are ordering a large quantity of Paper Birch for a big planting project, we suggest that you buy the smaller, 60/80cms tall plants. They are cheaper than large plants, easier to handle and more likely to cope well with poor conditions. Use large plants for more of an instant impact in a garden.
All of our young trees and shrubs are measured by their height in centimetres above the ground (the roots aren't measured).

General description of Betula papyrifera plants:
Common Names: Paperbark Birch, Canoe Birch, American White Birch
The young bark of Paper Birch is a ruddy brown colour. After 5 years or so, it matures, turns pale and produces the decorative peeling layers that give this tree its name. It is a tidy tree and the autumn colour is a deep, warm orange that goes well with the pale bark.

History & uses of Betula papyrifera
The oily, waterproof bark was used extensively by the Native Americans for a wide range of products, including paper; it is very handy for lighting fires. It is good firewood, but it is best to season it for a couple of years to reduce the amount of tar that it produces.