Betula lenta

Eastern US, Maine sout to Alabama, west to Ohio

Pyramidal in youth, becoming irregular, open and informal at maturity. Medium growth rate.

Well-drained, deep, rich, moist soil; full sun to light shade.

Medium to large tree for landscape use, suited to naturalization and parks. Easily found where native; not commonly found in the landscape trade. Flowers in catkins. Monoecious plant.

Alternate, simple, ovate, 2.5 to 6 inches long. Mostly cordate base, pointed apex, serrate and often doubly serrate. Glossy dark green in summer, turning golden yellow in fall. :

Buds are conical, red-brown.

Dark reddish brown somewhat cherrylike. Stems with sweet fragrance when crushed.

Monoecious, staminate catkins 2 to 3 inches long; male flowers 3 to 4 inches long, female flowers .5 to 1 inch long.

Not of ornamental value. Catkin, 1.5 inch long maturing in the fall.

Seed.