3 Native Birch Trees In Wisconsin (Photos & Identification)
Birch trees, which are loved all over the world for how beautiful they look, are popular in Wisconsin.
Birch trees in Wisconsin have established their presence throughout the state due to their elegant appearance, delicate foliage, and distinctive bark. While native birch varieties are typically associated with northern regions, Wisconsin’s southeastern areas also have native birch varieties that thrive in their unique habitats.
In this article, we will explore the forest of Wisconsin to discover the native birch trees in the state, investigating their unique characteristics, preferred environments, and geographical distribution.
Let’s get started.
1. Paper Birch
- Common Name: Paper Birch
- Scientific Name: Betula papyrifera
- Mature Height: 65 to 70 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Catkins
- Uses: Paper pulp, firewood, handles.
The Paper Birch tree, commonly known as Betula papyrifera, is a well-known North American species. This tree can reach a height of 70 feet and a diameter of 12 to 20 inches, with a rounded to pyramid-shaped crown that is visually appealing.
The bark of a young Paper Birch tree is thin, smooth, and reddish-brown, but it eventually turns creamy white. The bark has numerous pores or “lenticels” and easily peels in huge sections, exposing the orange inner bark. Inverted black V shapes serve as a visual cue for branch scars.
The Paper Birch tree has alternating, oval-shaped or heart-shaped leaves that are pointy, rounded at the base, and irregularly serrated. They become thick and leathery in texture, with a dark green upper side and a yellowish-green underside.
The fruit of the tree is a one-inch-long catkin containing many small, winged seeds. The seeds are about 1/6 inch long and develop in August and September, dispersing throughout the fall and even appearing on the snow.
The Paper Birch tree grows abundantly throughout the state, primarily on better sand and gravel soils mixed with pine and aspen.
The Paper Birch tree’s wood is durable, robust, tough, and light in weight. It has a dark color with crimson heartwood and almost white sapwood. Spools, toothpicks, toys, handles, paper pulp, and interior finishes are all made from wood.
Northern Native Americans used birch bark for many years to make canoes, wigwams, baskets, cups, bags, and other useful implements. As a result, the Paper Birch tree has been a significant supplier of materials for both Native Americans and modern humans.
2. River Birch
- Common Name: River or Red Birch
- Scientific Name: Betula nigra
- Mature Height: 40 to 60 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Catkins
- Uses: Fuel, furniture manufacturing
The River Birch, commonly known as the Red Birch, is a lovely tree native to Wisconsin’s southwestern portion. It thrives in fertile bottomlands near streams and rivers, particularly in the Mississippi and Wisconsin River Valleys.
This tree is tall, growing to a height of 40 to 60 feet with a diameter of 1 to 2 feet. Its bark is dark brown at the base of old trunks and shines reddish-brown higher up on the main stem and larger branches. The bark peels off in ragged layers, giving the tree a ragged appearance. It has reddish-colored twigs.
River Birch leaves are simple, alternate, and double serrated, measuring 2 to 4 inches in length. Typically, the leaves are shallowly and irregularly lobed. The tree produces a catkin in late spring or early summer, which contains several little flying seeds.
Despite its close-grained, hard, and robust characteristics, the River Birch is not frequently employed for commercial pulpwood or lumber because of its dispersed distribution and primarily limited growth on stream banks. However, it is widely employed in the production of fuel and furniture.
3. Yellow Birch
- Common Name: Yellow Birch
- Scientific Name: Betula Lutea
- Mature Height: Occasionally up to 85 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Catkin
- Uses: Used for flooring, interior finish, veneers, wooden ware, furniture, small wooden novelties, and as an excellent firewood.
Yellow birch (Betula lutea) is a lovely and tall tree that can reach 85 feet in height, has a diameter of 2 to 3 feet, and has a broad, circular crown.
This tree’s bark is yellow-gray or straw-colored and peels freely into thin, papery layers on younger trees, but senior trees produce ragged, fractured plates. Yellow birch is a natural tree in the northern half of the state, with sporadic trees as far south as Sheboygan, Sauk, and Grant counties.
Yellow Birch twigs are light brown, glossy, and somewhat scented with wintergreen oil. It has alternate leaves that are oval to oblong in shape and have a double-toothed border. The leaf can grow to be 3 to 5 inches long, with a dull dark green upper surface and a paler underside.
Yellow Birch fruit is a catkin that is about 1 inch long and bears several tiny winged seeds when mature. It ripens in the first year’s fall.
Yellow Birch wood is heavy, strong, firm, close-grained, and light brown with pale sapwood, and it polishes well. The wood is used for flooring, interior finishing, veneers, wooden goods, furniture, and little wooden novelties, as well as being great firewood.
Native Birch Trees In Wisconsin – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let us answer some of the most commonly asked questions related to native birch trees in Wisconsin. These questions are taken from online threads and forums related to tree care, gardening, etc.
Do birch trees grow in Wisconsin?
Yes, birch trees can be found in Wisconsin. Several birch tree species grow in Wisconsin, including the paper birch (Betula papyrifera), river birch (Betula nigra), and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis). These birch species are native to Wisconsin and can be found in a variety of habitats across the state, including forests, woodlands, and wetlands. The paper birch, with its distinctive white bark, is particularly well-known and is frequently regarded as an iconic tree of Wisconsin’s northern forests.
Is gray birch native to Wisconsin?
The gray birch, also known as the wire birch (Betula populifolia), is not native to Wisconsin. While it is found throughout the eastern United States, its natural range does not include Wisconsin. It is worth noting, however, that birch trees can be cultivated and planted in a variety of regions, including Wisconsin, even if they are not native to that region.
What are the common uses of birch trees in Wisconsin?
Birch trees are widely used in Wisconsin for a variety of purposes. Their aesthetic value in landscaping and gardening is one of their primary applications. Birch trees, particularly paper birch, are prized for their beauty and are frequently planted in parks, residential areas, and public spaces.
The wood from birch trees is also used for a variety of purposes, including furniture, cabinetry, and interior finishes. Because of its strength, fine grain, and appealing light color, wood is popular for crafts and decorative items. Birch bark is also used in traditional crafts like basket weaving and can be used decoratively to create rustic accents. Birch sap is also occasionally harvested to make birch syrup or used for its medicinal properties.
Similar Articles
- Native Oak Trees In Wisconsin
- Native Ash Trees In Wisconsin
- Native Pine Trees In Wisconsin
- Native Aspen Trees In Wisconsin
- Native Spruce Trees In Wisconsin
- Native Cedar Trees In Wisconsin
- Native Maple Trees In Wisconsin
- Native Elm Trees In Wisconsin
- Native Hickory Trees In Wisconsin
- Native Locust Trees In Wisconsin
- Native Cherry Trees In Wisconsin
- Native Nut Trees In Wisconsin
Sources
The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.
- Tree Planting, Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources
- Trees Identification, Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources
- Forest Trees Of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources
- Trees of Wisconsin Field Guide, Book by Stan Tekiela
