Betula papyrifera, paper birch
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Betula papyrifera

paper birch

Betulaceae

Northern North America from Newfoundland to Alaska, south through the Cascades and Rockies

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height40-70 feet (12-21 m)
Width25-40 feet (7.5-12 m)
Maturity20 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 7
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Native to North America
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Betula papyrifera is a large deciduous tree reaching 40–70 feet (12–21 m) tall and 25–40 feet (7.5–12 m) wide with an upright to broadly oval crown, typically single-trunked in forest settings but occasionally multi-stemmed. The most distinctive feature is the chalk-white bark that peels in thin horizontal papery strips, exposing pink to orange-tan inner layers — the most brilliantly white of any North American birch. Older trunks develop dark, furrowed bark at the base. Leaves are ovate to triangular with doubly serrated margins and a heart-shaped to wedge-shaped base, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long, medium green in summer, turning clear yellow in fall. Pendulous male catkins 1–4 inches (2.5–10 cm) long are visible through winter and elongate in early spring before leaf-out. This species has deep cultural significance to Indigenous peoples of North America — bark was used for canoe construction, containers, and writing material. Critically, Betula papyrifera is highly susceptible to bronze birch borer (Agrilus anxius), and it performs poorly in hot, dry, lowland Pacific Northwest sites: trees planted in urban and suburban lowland settings routinely decline and die within 15–30 years from borer attack, especially in USDA zone 8 and warmer. It is far better suited to cool, moist mountain sites (700+ feet / 210+ m elevation) where it naturally occurs in the PNW, or to the cooler, wetter coast ranges. For white bark in PNW lowland gardens, Betula nigra 'Cully' (Heritage® river birch) is significantly more durable.

Native Range

Native to a broad swath of northern North America from Newfoundland west to Alaska and south along the Rocky Mountains to Colorado and the Cascades. In the Pacific Northwest, it occurs naturally in mountain forests, particularly in the Cascades and Olympics at elevations above 700 feet (210 m), in moist riparian areas and post-disturbance sites.

Suggested Uses

Appropriate for cool, moist mountain landscapes above 700 feet (210 m) in the Pacific Northwest, naturalistic riparian plantings in coast range settings, and native plant restoration in appropriate montane habitats. The brilliant white bark is most effective massed or planted in groves against dark evergreen backgrounds. Not recommended for hot, dry lowland PNW urban and suburban landscapes due to bronze birch borer susceptibility. For white-bark impact in lowland PNW gardens, Betula nigra 'Cully' (Heritage®) or B. utilis ssp. jacquemontii are significantly more reliable.

How to Identify

Identified by chalk-white bark that peels in papery horizontal strips, exposing pink to orange-tan inner bark — the whitest of any native North American birch. Leaves are ovate to triangular, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm), with doubly serrated margins and often a heart-shaped base. Distinguished from Betula pendula (European white birch) by the warm pinky-orange tones in the fresh inner bark (vs. smooth white) and ovate rather than triangular leaf shape. Bark at the trunk base becomes dark and furrowed on older trees. Winged nutlets borne in hanging cylindrical catkins in spring.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 70'
Width/Spread25' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

brown

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Pendulous male catkins 1–4 inches (2.5–10 cm) long are present and visible through winter, enlarging and releasing pollen in March through April before leaf emergence. Smaller upright female catkins appear with the leaves, maturing into hanging cylindrical seed catkins that break apart in late summer, releasing small winged nutlets by wind.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

brown (male catkins)

Foliage Description

medium green in summer; clear yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandsilt
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-25 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Paper birch is not reliably suited to lowland Pacific Northwest urban and suburban planting — it is highly susceptible to bronze birch borer, and trees in hot, dry, zone 8 lowland settings routinely decline and die within 15–30 years. If planting in the PNW, site in cool, moist locations above 700 feet (210 m) elevation, or in the consistently cool, humid coast ranges. Requires cool root zones: keep soil moist and apply 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) of mulch from the drip line inward (clear of the trunk) to moderate summer soil temperatures. Prefers acidic, well-drained to moist soil; dislikes alkaline conditions. Avoid paving over root zones. Trees stressed by drought, soil compaction, or heat are much more vulnerable to bronze birch borer. For white-bark ornamental impact in PNW lowland gardens, Betula nigra 'Cully' or Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii are more reliable alternatives.

Pruning

Prune in summer (June through August) or fall — avoid spring pruning, as birches bleed heavily from wounds when sap is flowing (February through May). Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Minimal structural pruning is needed; the tree develops a strong natural form. Inspect annually for D-shaped exit holes of bronze birch borer (1/8 inch / 3 mm diameter) in upper branches — early detection is the only practical management tool, as infestation progresses rapidly and the tree cannot be saved once the majority of the canopy is affected.

Pruning Schedule

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summerfall

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic