\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Some birch trees have bark that also turns golden like the leaves. Birch trees belong to the genus Betula in the beech-oak family Fagales. Betula glandulosa leaves have longer petioles, Himalayan birch tree (Betula utilis) and leaves. This tree is quite unaffected by the bronze birch borer, so it is often used as an alternative to the silver birch, which we discussed earlier. The Native Americans historically used this tree to make valuable products, including their canoes and even footwear. Many birch trees do best in colder areas, as they are more prone to birch borer insects in warmer zones. The Himalayan birch tree has thin, papery bark, egg-shaped, slightly fuzzy leaves, and short conical flowers. The most important requirement is constantly moist soil, so it does well in rainier areas. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Betula nigra, or river birch, is recommended for warm-climate areas warmer than zone 6, where paper birch is rarely successful. Paper birch is named for the tree's thin white bark, which often peels in paper like layers from the trunk. Also called the black cottonwood, western balsam poplar is identified by long, shiny dark green leaves, hard gray bark, and red or green dangling flowers or catkins. Most of these trees prefer wetter soil and are primarily found in the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. River birch leaves tend to have a diamond shape, whereas gray birch leaves are more triangular-shaped. Pendulous flowers emerge in spring before the leaves appear. Birch tree bark is usually whitish-gray, silver, or sometimes red. This birch species has a unique golden-brown bark that distinguishes it from its other birch cousins. Updates? Fun Fact: White Birchs bark used to be to make bowls, spoons, shoes, and made brooms from twigs. For this reason, this tree is also referred to as the canoe birch. Glossy green birch leaves grow between 2 and 3 (5 7.5 cm) long. Also called the white birch tree, the paper birch gets its name from its thin, white papery bark. Leaves measure between 2 and 6 (5 15 cm). [citation needed] The most southerly stand in the Western United States is located in Long Canyon in the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. Poplar tree bark is more of a silver-gray color, and its bark doesnt peel. Black poplar leaves are between 2 and 3 (5 8 cm) long and up to 3 (8 cm) wide. This poplar is identified by thin horizontal lines around the trunk and diamond-shaped marks. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Birch trees are deciduous trees that have stunning ornamental appeal in the fall. In the North of the country, white birches are the only deciduous trees. 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