Varieties of White Birch

Asian White Birches

• The white-barked Himalayan birch, Betula utilis jacquemontii, is a widespread birch species in the Pacific Northwest, notes the Washington State University Clark County Extension. This tree, originating in Asia, grows to 40 feet high, with white, peeling bark and a shallow root system. It does well in wet soils, and it is colorful in autumn, turning a bold yellow shade. Thin branches that droop slightly are a characteristic of the Japanese white birch, Betula platyphylla. This Asian import has white bark, and it grows small enough (from 20 to 40 feet) to fit in landscapes with limited room. The tree is appropriate for planting in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 7.

Exfoliating White Birches

• The bark of the paper birch, Betula papyrifera, can take as long as four years to turn white. Paper birch exfoliates, with the white bark marked with dark horizontal lines known as lenticels peeling away from the trunk in strips. The inner layer of bark is an orange shade. The paper birch is cold tolerant, growing into USDA zone 2. Peeling white bark is also a trademark of the European white birch, Betula pendula, but this species has pendant branches. European white birch is another cold hardy type, growing from USDA zones 2 through 6 to heights of 40 feet.

Small White Birches

• Landscapers have white birch options for small yards. One is the Crimson Frost hybrid, a tree that grows as small as 25 feet. Its purple foliage provides even more contrast with its white, peeling bark, which has shades of cinnamon mixed in, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Grey birch, Betula populifolia, goes by such nicknames as poverty birch and old field birch. Older individuals feature a chalk-white bark, with black patches shaped like triangles occurring where branches attach to the tree. Grey birch rarely gets taller than 40 feet, and it is suitable for landscapes within USDA zones 3 through 6.

White Birch Uses

• Birches with white bark are outstanding specimen trees, whether grown in groups or singly. They provide a landscape with visual interest, offering color during all seasons. They can serve as a shade tree as well, with their foliage typically providing light shade beneath their branches. Their ability to handle cold climates in many instances makes them compatible with a number of evergreen trees, with the white bark a sharp contrast to green needles.