Betula alleghaniensis aka Yellow Birch

Betula alleghaniensis, also known as the yellow birch, golden birch, or swamp birch, is a large deciduous tree native to northeastern North America. It is an important lumber species and is recognized as the provincial tree of Quebec, where it is commonly called merisier. The tree is characterized by its conical form, peeling bark, and ovate leaves that turn yellow in autumn. The vernacular names of the tree refer to the golden color of its bark. Formerly known as Betula lutea, this species is typically 60-75' tall with a single trunk. The trunk bark ranges from grayish yellow to bronze, peeling away in papery sheets. In dense forested areas, the crown is small and irregular, while in open areas, it is large and widely spreading. The branches and twigs have reddish brown, brown, or gray bark with scattered white lenticels. The leaves are arranged alternately along the twigs and are ovate in shape, doubly serrated along their margins, and dark green on the upper surface. The tree is monoecious, producing both male and female catkins on the same tree. The male catkins droop downward and are yellowish purple, while the female catkins are upright, greenish, and ultimately turn brown as their winged seeds ripen. The tree reproduces through reseeding itself, and its woody root system is shallow and widely spreading. Overall, the Betula alleghaniensis is a significant tree species with valuable lumber and a distinctive golden-barked appearance.