Birches get their name from the ancient Sanskrit language. “Birch” evolved from . ^Bhurga^, which signifies “a tree whose bark is used for writing upon” A distinguishing feature of most birches is their peeling, curling bark which it is easy to believe, especially with the white barked ones, could substitute for paper.

Birches are popular ornamental trees in the northern United States and in Canada because of their graceful habit and peeling, textured bark. Canoe or Paper Birches (Betula papyrifera) are most easily recognized by their white bark, which was used by Indians to make canoes and cover wigwams. European Birches (Betula pendula) also have white bark, however I do not recommend using the European Birch in the home landscape because of its serious susceptibility to borer insects. Paper Birches are strictly northern plants.

River Birch is a good replacement for the white barked birches if they have been a problem. River Birches (Betula nigra) are native to lowlands and along stream banks. They grow in the wild as far south as northern Florida and also do well on the west coast. Many other birches are used in landscape. Gray Birch,

Himalayan Birch, Chinese paper birch and Monarch birch are all occasionally used. Like the other birches, they should be viewed as high maintenance, short-lived landscape trees.

Birch Choices In Most Garden Centers
Variety	Size	Comment	Grower
River Birch, Betula nigra	Height: 40’	Zone 4 - ?; Resistant to birch borer. The bark exfoliates to expose tan, pink, or orange colored younger stems.	J.F. Schmidt & Son; www.jfschmidt.com
Click for picture	Spread: 35’
Dura-Heatâ Birch, Betula nigra ‘BNMTF’	Height: 40’	Zone 5 - ?; Reported to good resistance to bronze birch borer. Heat resistant, glossy, deep green foliage gives this cultivar a fresh look thought the heat of the summer, even in southern U.S. Attractive exfoliating bark is a medley of cream and tan colors.	J.F. Schmidt & Son; www.jfschmidt.com
Click for picture	Spread: 30’
Heritageâ Birch, Betula nigra ‘Cully’	Height : 40’	Reported to have good resistance to bronze birch borer. A selection River Birch chosen for its lighter colored bark and large, glossy, light green leaves. The peeling bark exposes mottled patches of cream, organge and pinkish tan colors.	J.F. Schmidt & Son; www.jfschmidt.com
Click for picture	Spread: 30’
Paper Birch, Betula papyrifera	Height: 50’	Best in Zones 5 north to 2. In the cooler environment this is the most permanent and desireable of all white barked Birches. Slow to turn white, but a perfect chalk-white when older. Beautiful as a single stem tree or clump form.	J.F. Schmidt & Son; www.jfschmidt.com
Click for picture	Spread: 35’
Whitespire Sr. Birch, Betula populifolia ‘Whitespire Sr.’	Height: 40’	Zone 4; Whitespire “Senior” is vegetatively propagated directly from the original, superior tree in Wisconsin. It has shown resistance to Bronze Birch Borer.	J.F. Schmidt & Son; www.jfschmidt.com
Click for picture	Spread: 25’