Betula populifolia

Gray birch (Betula populifolia )

The gray birch (Betula populifolia ) is also called Pappelblättrige birch (german gray birch ). This species belongs to the genus of birch (Betula ) and thus to the birch family ( Betulaceae ).

Dissemination

It is originally native to North America Birch type. The main distribution area extends from south-east to Ontario to Nova Scotia in the east, as far south as Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Individual deposits are found in the U.S. states of Indiana, Virginia and North Carolina.

The gray birch prefers dry upland soils, but it is also found in moist mixed forests. As a short-lived pioneer species they are found on fallow fields and burned areas. It needs a sunny site and grows poorly in the shade of competing trees. Flooding will not be tolerated.

Description of the plant

The gray birch growing very rapidly up to a height of 9 m and a trunk diameter of 30 cm. The irregular tree crown consists of small branches from the original strain often branch off several tribes. The bark is still dark brown in young trees, later it turns white gray with black triangular painting at the points where the branches branch off from the trunk.

The oval leaves are pointed at the end, 5 to 7.5 cm long and 4-6 cm wide. They are dark green, with a smooth top and a lighter bottom and irregularly serrated edge. The fall color is a brilliant yellow.

Like all birches it is pollinated by the wind and is monoecious getrenntgeschlechtig ( monoecious ). The inflorescences are kittens. The male inflorescences are 5-8 cm long, hanging catkins, the female are short and erect. The many small winged seeds, which ripen in autumn, are between the bracts in the inflorescence.

Just like other North American birch species, the gray birch is very resistant to the birch borer ( Agrilus anxius ). The wood is flexible and is used for coils and as firewood. From the Indians use the bark is reported as a medicine.

Pictures

Immature male kitten

Bark of gray birch

Bark of a young tree