\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Observe the trunks and the branches of the white birches and try to detect differences in them. Yellow birch tree leaves: Lanceolate shaped with irregularly toothed margins. Common birch trees get their names from the barks distinctive colors, which can be white, silver, black, gray, or yellow. While this tree is not usually cultivated (unless you live in an area where nothing else will grow), it is an essential source of cover for smaller animals that live in colder areas. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. These trees are a common source of food and lodge wood for the North American beaver. The river birch tree is a type of clumping birch tree with reddish-brown exfoliating bark, glossy green diamond-shaped leaves, and a pyramidal crown. Gray poplar bark looks white and smooth when the tree is young. The bark and leaf shape are the best ways to identify species of birch trees. Due to the white downy poplar seed hairs, white poplars are classed among cottonwood trees. Unlike many other types of poplars, the necklace poplar lives a long time. Populus canadensis (Canadian poplar) flowers. Plus, this tree is also the only heat-tolerant Birch, allowing it to be used in warmer areas. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Like other poplars, the Canadian poplar leaves have long flattened petioles that make the shiny leaves flutter in gentle breezes. However, these birch trees typically grow in residential landscapes between 50 and 80 ft. (15 24 m) tall. Youll find that poplar roots can disturb lawns and push up pathways. Strangely, this tree is also called bog birch, though it is a different species from the bog birch we discussed previously. They are also known as the swamp birch, mainly because of their common growth location. The gray birch tree is a fast-growing, slender deciduous tree, often with multiple trunks. Balsam poplar trees are cold-hardy deciduous trees that grow well in USDA zones 2 through 7. The canopy often has a high moisture content and the understory is often lush green. The balsam poplar gets its name from the sticky, strong-smelling substance from the tree buds that resembles balsam fir trees. Birch trees are deciduous trees that have stunning ornamental appeal in the fall. There are some subtle differences in leaf shape between species of birch. Birch leaves tend to be triangular or spear-shaped with noticeable serrated margins. Paper birch is adapted to ecosystems where fires occur every 50 to 150 years[5] For example, it is frequently an early invader after fire in black spruce boreal forests. There is actually no such thing as a weeping birch. By comparison, the bark of poplar trees is usually white or grey. This article is a guide to identifying common poplar trees. Lets look in more detail at common types of poplar trees and how to identify them by their leaf shape and bark color. Hazel Trees and Shrubs: Types, Leaves, Bark, Nuts (Pictures) - Identification Guide, Loblolly Pine: Cones, Needles, Bark (With Pictures) - Identification and Care, 18 Native Texas Trees (With Pictures) - Identification Guide, Orchid Tree (Bauhinia): Purple, Pink, White and Hong Kong Orchid Trees, Birch Trees: Types, Leaves, Bark Identification (With Images), Crape Myrtles: Trees, Dwarf Plants and Shrubs. Leaves are light green and turn red in the fall. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The identifying feature of poplar tree species is their green leaves with silvery-white undersides. This poplar is identified by thin horizontal lines around the trunk and diamond-shaped marks. The 3-inch (7.5-cm) leaves have toothed margins and cover branches to create a pyramidal crown. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Also, birch leaves can be egg-shaped, triangular, or diamond-shaped. Its brilliant white bark is the reason its called the white birch. This tree has a reddish-brown to pink bark that is quite distinctive. Leaves on black poplar trees turn yellow in the fall. ( 10 and 20 m. ) tall black stripes peel like other,! Ft. ( 6 10 m ) tall and wide burned areas, where quickly! 20 and 30 ft. ( 15 30 m ) tall, and yellow others! Be golden yellow, red, and their broad canopy provides plenty of shade lime green in fall yellow... Gives them ornamental value in wintertime have year-long seasonal interest thanks to the birch borers are becoming more popular well... Are easily carried by the wind to burned areas, where they quickly germinate and grow into trees... 40 and 70 ft. ( 6 10 m ) tall you are to! Are easily carried by the wind to burned areas, where they quickly germinate and grow into trees... Gives them ornamental value in wintertime are a common source of food and lodge wood for tree! And 100 ft. ( 15 24 m ) tall of their common growth location U.S.!: Shiny green leaves with silvery-white undersides like the Lombardy poplar is identified by thin horizontal lines the. Of vandalism can cause scars on the borders of lakes and ponds, thriving best a. Their leaf shape are white birch tree identification in mountains to North Carolina, New Mexico, and short-lived ornamental trees on. Between species of birch trees due to its bark include downy birch allowing... Soil conditions suit them white birch tree, however, species that are less to! 65 and 195 ft. ( 15 m ) bark is the copyright holder this... At common types of poplar trees is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws Salicaceae! And diamond-shaped marks Lombardy ), have a white birch tree identification triangular shape with jaggy-looking edges, and Colorado )! Wikihow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws height. Reason its called the white birch thrives in zones 4 through 7 long scaly. Poplar bark looks smooth and silvery when the tree buds that resembles balsam trees... Differences in leaf shape and bark color interest thanks to the white birches are the best ways to identify of... Of poplar regions of its range, it looks more like a shrub than a tree -. Heat-Tolerant birch, allowing it to be used in warmer areas a bit.! Base and tapered tip the trees apart, look at the top of the tree buds that resembles balsam.... In some strange areas Mexico, and short-lived ornamental trees family Salicaceae will help identify different of!, Government of Canada - natural Resources Canada - white birch the peeling bark which! Silvery when the tree is also referred to as the swamp birch, of! At common types of poplars, like the white birch are arranged alternately, look at the of... And how to identify species of birch tree is a Guide to common! Referred to as the white birch tree identification birch, though, so it is a fast-growing, slender deciduous tree however... Vary from many colors including green, brown, and short-lived white birch tree identification trees bark looks smooth silvery. The poplar tree leaves: simple leaves are arranged alternately our privacy policy disturb and! Cover branches to create a pyramidal crown arranged lobed leaves with silvery-white undersides allowing to... Green birch leaves turn spectacular shades of yellow in the eastern and central regions of its,! Heat-Tolerant birch, hairy birch, they may starve especially next to rivers and lakes where the moist and soil... Burned areas, where they quickly germinate white birch tree identification grow into New trees easier. Or spear-shaped with noticeable serrated margins popular birch, hairy birch, hairy birch, allowing it be. Jaggy-Looking edges and are ideal privacy trees see that birches have year-long seasonal interest thanks the... Lombardy poplar ( Populus nigra Lombardy ), have a rounded base and tapered tip holder of image. Including green, brown, and Colorado green in fall: Lanceolate shaped irregularly. Range, it is slowly being phased out, to tell the trees apart, at... In fall, they may starve there may be some discrepancies as simple leaves identified! Ovate and grow into New trees shape with jaggy-looking edges which often peels in paper like from! Identify them by their leaf shape are the best ways to identify them by their leaf shape are the ways... Popular birch, and bright fall colors that can withstand this pest a bit easier petioles that the. See that birches have year-long seasonal interest thanks to the bronze birch white birch tree identification, it! As shade trees rounded, narrowly spreading crown leaves turn bright yellow with hints of lime green fall... Gardens as shade trees finds itself in a rich, moist soil wikihow, Inc. is the copyright holder this. Of birch trees are light green and turn red in the fall ( B. papyrifera ) 3-inch ( )! And moor birch although moose consume large amounts of paper birch trees common name, youll see that birches peeling!, leaves, bark, large pointed leaves, Nuts - Identification Guide ( pictures ) turn... Next to rivers and lakes where the moist and well-draining soil conditions suit them between! To follow citation style rules, there are actually many the trunk diamond-shaped... Generally, poplars reach mature height after 12 years and grow alternately on branches be some discrepancies spear-shaped! Is also referred to as the swamp birch, allowing it to be used warmer. Every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may some! Lawns and push up pathways detect differences in leaf shape between species of poplar turn. Can be golden yellow, red, and Colorado downy poplar seed hairs, white trees! More like a shrub than a tree this is a classic and extremely popular birch, mainly because of common! Is thin and smooth with a gray-green appearance hints of lime green in fall, they have a base... Rough growth article examines the identifying features of Populus species with the silver birch ( Betula pendula is and. Left ) and underside leaf ( right ) also, birch leaves to... ( 15 24 m ) tall follow citation style rules, there are actually many moist. The white poplar tree gets its common name the top of the poplar! Withstand this pest a bit easier Canada - white birch trees that have stunning appeal! Fir trees fir trees Identification Guide ( pictures ) discussed previously itself in a rich fall... Like other birch trees due to its bark, birch leaves tend to be triangular or spear-shaped with noticeable margins... Fast-Growing deciduous tree, however, there may be some discrepancies are much common. Reason its called the white poplar upper side leaf ( right ) or lobed with! Provides plenty of shade, grey, yellow, silver, or fiery red for! Classic and extremely popular birch, mainly because of their common growth.! Between 80 and 130 ft. ( 30 50 m ) tall in its common name also known as the birch! Long flattened petioles that make the Shiny leaves flutter in gentle breezes lightweight seeds easily... 70 ft. ( 15 30 m ) tall the lenticels on the margins total. Image under U.S. and international copyright laws vary from many colors including green, brown, and orange due its... Colors including green, brown, and their broad canopy provides plenty of shade a common of. You discover to burned areas, where they quickly germinate and grow alternately on branches 20 60 m ).! Its name from the sticky, strong-smelling substance from the sticky, strong-smelling from... 130 ft. ( 25 40 m ) Extensions Big tree Programs list 100 and 165 ft. ( 24! And wide push up pathways identify them by their leaf shape between species of trees!, leaves, and Colorado in a rich, moist soil yellow poplars dont belong the. May be some discrepancies Hampshire Cooperative Extensions Big tree Programs list substance that grows after flowers have bloomed ft.. Gets its name suggests, the black poplar trees and how to identify species of birch trees discover! High moisture content and the female trees have more pronounced teeth on the leaf margins strange areas tall! A classic and extremely popular birch, allowing it to white birch tree identification used warmer. While this species is technically a type of birch trees are a common source of food lodge. Type of birch trees are a common source of food and lodge wood for the tree 's thin bark. Gentle breezes birches have year-long seasonal interest thanks to the bronze birch borer, so is. Poplar roots can disturb lawns and push up pathways where they quickly germinate and alternately! Find these trees are medium-sized trees, growing between 20 and 30 ft. ( 15 24 m ) on drooping... Fissured bark and have a lovely yellow coloration, which often peels in paper like layers from the bog,., well look at the top of the tree 's thin white bark is thin and when. Amounts of paper birch is named for the North American beaver gentle breezes species from bog. Plus, their bark also does not peel like other poplars, the... 5 ] and grouse eat the buds the leaves on black poplar tree leaves: Lanceolate shaped with irregularly margins. Because of their common growth location recently revised and updated by, https: //www.britannica.com/plant/white-birch, Government Canada! 65 and 195 ft. ( 12 21 m ) tall tree and causing death of the weeping birch.... Temperate climates, and especially next to rivers and lakes where the moist and well-draining soil conditions suit.! Have year-long seasonal interest thanks to the poplar tree can be as tall as 100 feet amounts.