365 Urban Species. #032: Paper Birch

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Urban species #032: Paper birch Betula papyrifera

A white birch tree is identifyable by even those uninterested in nature. The native North American species, paper birch, is found in the northernmost parts of the United States. The European white birch Betula pendula is widely introduced and the two species readily hybridize (the birch in the photo above may be a hybrid). Paper birch saplings are pioneer plants, often seen springing up on rocky roadcuts; it specializes in colonizing recently burned areas, and does not tolerate shade. Though favored for ornamental use, paper birch is very succeptable to diseases and pests, and urban birches tend to live very short lives.