Betula albosinensis
Chinese Paper Birch

Family:

Betulaceae (Birch Family) 28

Genus:

Betula (Birch) 12

Plant Type:

Tree 569

Growth Forms:

Upright 571

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 5 251

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 836

Flower Notes:

Brown (Male and female catkins in late spring)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Dark yellow-green in the summer); Yellow (Attractive yellow fall color)

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Fall)

Ultimate Height:

40-60 feet

Ultimate Spread:

40-60 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Prefers moist, well-drained soils

Range:

Central and western China

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves are 2-3" long by 1-1.5" wide, alternate, simple, ovate, and acuminate with double serrations. Glands are present on the underside. The strongly exfoliating orange, copper, pink, red, and brown bark is a key ID feature, peeling in thin layers, covered in a white bloom. Stems, branches, and trunk with numerous horizontal lenticels.

Special Characteristics:

Additional Information

Betula albosinensis is a common tree in Europe but not often found here in the United States. It is considered by many to have the most handsome bark of any of the birches. The bark peels off in layers that have been likened to tissue paper. The straight species has bark that is pinkish-copper to orange-red to orange-brown with a white bloom.