Betula lenta
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BET-yoo-luh LEN-ta
- Description
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Betula is Latin for birch and describes a genus of about 60 species of deciduous trees and shrubs found in many gardens and landscapes throughout the northern hemisphere. Betula lenta, or Sweet Birch, is a deciduous, pyramidal shaped tree, maturing into a more rounded shape that may grow 60 to 70 feet tall. Native to eastern North America, it is commonly found in forests of both low and high elevation as far south as the mountains of Georgia, but, except for a few cool spots, it is rare in the Piedmont of North Carolina. It grows primarily on the mountains of the western part of the state. Foliage is a reliable golden yellow and among the best of the birches. The wintergreen produced from this plant is identical to wintergreen produced by the wintergreen plant.
Sweet Birches are best grown in moist, acidic, sandy, or rocky, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade and are often found in woodlands, preferring north-facing slopes and moist soils. It is also found on rocky soils; however, it is sensitive to compacted soil. The best foliage color occurs in full sun. Keep the tree consistently moist and consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist. The inner bark gives off a wintergreen scent. It needs little pruning, but if necessary, you can prune during the dormant season. Do not prune in winter or spring when the sap is running because it will bleed.
Birches are considered a "pioneer" species and, thus, tends to grow quickly when young.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
Birches can become stressed by summer heat and humidity. Aphids, canker, leaf miner and birch skeletonizer may occur. Watch for leaf spot problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Betula
- Species:
- lenta
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- This plant is used in the production of wintergreen oil. In the past, the people of the Appalachians cut large numbers of this tree to produce wintergreen oil. 100 saplings and young trees were needed to produce only a quart of the oil. The hard, close grained lumber is used for furniture and interior trims.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Canada and United States
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- It is a larval host plant for the Mourning Cloak and Dreamy Duskywing butterflies. You may see Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) which has one flight from June-July, Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus) with one brood April-July and rarely a second in the south, and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilo glaucus) which has three flights from February-November in the south and two flights May-September in the north. Many moths also use as a host plant. Its seeds are eaten by birds.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Pieces Used in Games
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wind Shimmer
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- highly deer resistant; Fire in the landscape.
- Edibility:
- Sap has been used for syrup and brewed into beer; however, oil from the bark can be toxic.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 35 ft. 0 in. - 45 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- more than 60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- This plants' seed is a nutlet. During summer, 1 to 1.5-inch oblong, erect cones ripen and break apart, exposing the 2 very small, winged nutlets.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The Sweet Birch has small green flowers that are tinged with red and mature in early spring. The flower on the Sweet birch has 3" to 4" male catkins.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves of the Sweet Birch are 2.5" to 6", broad, ovate with cordate base, single-toothed margins, alternate and simple. Leaves turn a golden-yellow color in the fall.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Patchy
- Ridges
- Smooth
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Round
- Bark Description:
- The bark of young trees is smooth, breaking into small chip-like plates as it ages. Dark, shiny, tight bark with horizontal lenticels. Crushed twigs smell like wintergreen.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Fire
