Betula populifoliaIndiana Native
Gray Birch
Other Common Names: Grey Birch

Family:

Betulaceae (Birch Family) 28

Genus:

Betula (Birch) 12

Plant Type:

Tree 569

Growth Forms:

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3 233

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 839

Flower Notes:

Brown (Small monoecious flowers; Yellowish brown male catkins (up to 4"); Greenish female catkins (up to 1/2"); Appears in early spring)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Dark glossy green foliage in spring/summer; leafs out early); Yellow (Nice yellow fall foliage); Triangular leaves (about 3” long) are double-toothed

Stem Notes:

Reddish-brown (slender, warty exudations, glabrous)

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Drooping cone-like fruits containing many small winged seeds; Matures in late summer; Not ornamentally important)

Ultimate Height:

20-40 feet

Ultimate Spread:

10-20 feet

Bloom Times:

April 198

Fruiting Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Medium to wet 60

Soil Notes:

Does well on the poorest of sterile soils, although develops chlorosis in high pH soils; grows on sandy, rocky and even gravelly sites; tolerates both wet and dry conditions

Range:

Nova Scotia to Delaware

Maintenance:

High 16

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Alternate, simple, triangular leaves (2–3.5") with a wide base and long tapering tip. Doubly serrate. Bark is a dull chalky white with distinct dark triangular patches below insertion of branches. Single male catkins on branch tip.

Ecological Functions:

Purdue Plant Doctor

Parts and Problems of Birch

Special Characteristics:

Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 187

Additional Information

Beautiful white bark, although becomes dirty gray with age. Does well on the poorest of sterile soils, seeds, and suckers quickly. Grows on sandy, rocky and even gravelly sites. Tolerates both wet and dry conditions. Prefers full sun. Susceptible to leaf miner and cankers; more resistant to the bronze birch borer. Leaf minors especially problematic.

Plant Photo Gallery

Overall Habit

Bark

Fall Foliage

Fruit

Leaf

Bark

Buds

Flowers and Foliage

Spring Habit

When Betula populifolia has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

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Fruiting

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10 Betula populifolia found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2009_13588*A	HORTPARK
2	ORIG_1002*A	BRNG
3	ORIG_1003*A	BRNG
4	2022_00051*A	PAO
5	2022_00048*A	PAO
6	2022_00046*A	PAO
7	2022_00045*A	PAO
8	2022_00049*A	PAO
9	2022_00050*A	PAO
10	2022_00047*A	PAO