Betula populifolia
Gray Birch, Poplar Birch
Found in the northern mountains of the United States
Short and sometimes shrubby in habit. Slender, sometimes multiple, conical stems.
Dry, barren areas. This tree usually grows well in open or disturbed areas, not usually found in Climax forests.
Good for naturalizing poor soils; good fall color, and the bark is aesthetically pleasing.
Alternate, serrated edges with an elongated apex. Overall almost triangular in shape. Yellow fall color.
Buds are imbricately scaled, somewhat resinous.
Chalky white with large horizontal lenticels. Not peeling like B. nigra.
Catkin, 2 to 3.5 inches long
Only one male catkin on the end of stems. Female catkins are in pairs. This is a distinguishable feature between other species. Fruit is a small nut.
Seed, cuttings.