Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera
Deciduous TreeAbout Paper Birch
Paper Birch is a graceful, medium-sized tree famous for its brilliant white, peeling bark. Native to northern forests, it is a pioneer species that colonizes openings and burned areas. It provides stunning fall color in golden yellow and is commonly used in naturalistic and northern landscapes.
Quick Facts
How to Identify Paper Birch
- Distinctive chalky white bark that peels in papery horizontal strips
- Doubly serrated, triangular to ovate leaves
- Slender, pendulous catkins in spring
- Yellow fall color
- Open, oval crown with graceful, slightly drooping branches
Care Guide
- Never prune in spring; birch bleeds sap heavily when cut in late winter or spring
- Water deeply during summer droughts to reduce stress and bronze birch borer attacks
- Mulch to keep roots cool and moist
- Best suited for cooler climates; struggles in zones above 6
- Prune only in late summer or early fall
Known Issues (4)
Asian Longhorned Beetle
CRITICALA large wood-boring beetle that attacks hardwoods including maples, elms, willows, and birches. Native to China and Korea, it was first detected in New York in 1996. Infestations can kill trees within a few years.
Affecting 5 regions
Spongy Moth (formerly Gypsy Moth)
MODERATEAn invasive moth introduced to Massachusetts in 1869. Caterpillars defoliate hundreds of tree species, preferring oaks. Repeated defoliation weakens and can kill trees, especially when combined with drought stress.
Affecting 20 regions
Japanese Beetle
MODERATEAn invasive beetle introduced to New Jersey in 1916. Adults skeletonize leaves of over 300 plant species while larvae (grubs) damage turf grass roots. They are particularly damaging to linden, birch, and fruit trees.
Affecting 35 regions
Bronze Birch Borer
HIGHA native North American wood-boring beetle that attacks birch trees, especially paper birch and European white birch in landscape settings. Larvae feed under the bark in a serpentine pattern, disrupting nutrient and water transport. Dieback starts at the top of the crown and progresses downward, the opposite pattern of many other pests.
Affecting 26 regions