Liliental Betula lenta
Other Common Name(s):
- Description
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Betula lenta, commonly called Sweet Birch, is a deciduous tree that may grow 60 to 70 feet tall. Its form is pyramidal and dense in youth, and then it has an irregular, rounded habit with age. Although, it can also have a wide-spreading crown. The Sweet Birch tree will thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, but does well in dry, sandy, and clay soils.
Seasons of Interest:
Leaves: Fall Bloom: Spring Fruit/Seed/Nut: Summer (Nutlet)
- Cultivars:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Betula
- Species:
- lenta
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant is highly resistant to damage from deer. It is a larval host plant for the Mourning Cloak and Dreamy Duskywing butterflies. Many moths also use as a host plant. Its seeds are eaten by birds.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Enhancement
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- highly deer resistant; Fire in the landscape.
- 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
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- 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:
- 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 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 spring. The flower on the Sweet birch has 3" to 4" male catkins.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- 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" and are alternate, simple leaves that turn a golden-yellow color in the fall. The leaves have singly toothed margins.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Round
- Bark Description:
- The bark of young trees is smooth, breaking into small chip-like plates as it ages.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Betula lenta is often confused with:
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Betula grossa
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Betula nigra
- Native alternative(s) for a Betula lenta:
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Linnaea chinensis
- Similar plants:
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Clethra acuminata
- Berberis x mentorensis
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Amelanchier canadensis
