Betulaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Betula papyrifera

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Betula papyrifera is a deciduous tree with a narrowly round, open crown; it usually grows up to 20 metres tall but sometimes reaches 30 metres. It usually has a single, straight, cylindrical bole, but sometimes has two or more[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. , 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. This species was an exceedingly important tree for the native North Americans - they utilized it for a very wide range of applications and it was a central item in their economy[ 226 Title Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Publication Author Lauriault. J. Publisher Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. Year 1989 ISBN 0889025649 Description Very good on identification for non-experts, the book also has a lot of information on plant uses. ]. It is still cultivated widely as an ornamental in temperate gardens, in particular for its attractive white bark[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Betula papyrifera is a widespread, commonly encountered tree in Northern N. America. There are no known threats that are or will adversely affect it in the foreseeable future. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeNorthern N. America - Alaska to Labrador and Newfoundland, south to Oregon and Virginia

HabitatWoods, usually on slopes, edges of ponds, streams and swamps etc[ 43 Title Gray's Manual of Botany.Eighth Edition Publication Author Fernald. M. L. Publisher American Book Co.; New York Year 1950 ISBN 0442222505 Description A bit dated but a good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America. , 82 Title Manual of the Trees of N. America. Publication Author Sargent. C. S. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/ Publisher Dover Publications Inc. New York. Year 1965 ISBN 0-486-20278-X Description Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet. ]. Found in a wide range of soil conditions, but the best specimens are found in well-drained sandy-loam soils[ 229 Title The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Publication Author Elias. T. Publisher Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. Year 1980 ISBN 0442238622 Description A very good concise guide. Gives habitats, good descriptions, maps showing distribution and a few of the uses. It also includes the many shrubs that occasionally reach tree proportions. ].