Betula papyrifera aka Canoe Birch

Betula papyrifera, commonly known as paper birch, white birch, or canoe birch, is a deciduous tree native to northern North America. It is characterized by its short lifespan and thin white bark that peels off in paper-like layers. This species is often one of the first to colonize burned areas and is an important food source for moose. In terms of commercial use, the wood is primarily used for boltwood and sawlogs, while secondary products include firewood and pulpwood. Paper birch is the provincial tree of Saskatchewan and the state tree of New Hampshire. This medium-sized tree has a conical outline and its white bark reveals pale orange underbark when it peels off. It produces yellow male catkins and dark green leaves that turn yellow in the autumn. Paper birch thrives in medium to wet, well-drained sandy or rocky loams in part shade, preferably in a northern or eastern exposure with afternoon shade. It requires consistently moist soil and benefits from soaker hoses and bark mulches to maintain cool and moist root zones. Pruning should be done during the dormant season, avoiding the spring when sap is running. This species performs best in cool northern climates with limited summer temperatures and snow-covered root zones in winter. While it typically grows with a single trunk in forests, it may develop multiple trunks or branch close to the ground when grown as a landscape tree. Paper birch is known for its short lifespan, lasting only around 30 years in hotter and more humid zones, while it can live for over 100 years in colder regions. It can tolerate various soil types but thrives in well-drained to dry soils depending on the location. The bark of older trees is white and flaky, often with small black marks and scars, while younger trees have brown-red bark with white lenticels. The bark is highly weather-resistant due to its high oil content, making it waterproof and durable. The dark green leaves are smooth on the upper surface and may have a pubescent lower surface on the veins. They are oval to triangular in shape, with a serrated margin and a rounded base tapering to an acute tip. In the fall, the leaves turn a bright yellow color, adding to the vibrant colors of the northern deciduous forest. The tree produces wind-pollinated catkins, with greenish female flowers growing from the tips of twigs and brownish male flowers that are longer. Paper birch is monoecious, meaning it has both male and female flowers on the same plant. The fruit consists of numerous tiny winged seeds packed between the catkin bracts and matures in the fall. Seed production starts at around 15 years of age, with peak production occurring between 40 and 70 years. The seed production is irregular, with heavy crops every other year, and the seeds are light and dispersed by wind and snow. The roots of paper birch are shallow and occupy the upper 60 cm of soil, lacking taproots. While the tree is vulnerable to trunk breakage in high winds, it is less likely to be uprooted.