Betula papyrifera

"Paper birch" redirects here. For other uses, see Paper birch (disambiguation).
"White birch" redirects here. For other uses, see White birch (disambiguation).

Betula papyrifera
Paper birch forest in Maine

Secure  (NatureServe)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fagales
Family: Betulaceae
Genus: Betula
Subgenus: Betula subg. Betula
Species:
B. papyrifera
Binomial name
Betula papyrifera
Natural range
Synonyms[3][4]
  • B. alba var. commutata Regel
  • B. alba var. cordifolia (Regel) Regel
  • B. alba var. cordifolia (Regel) Fernald
  • B. alba var. elobata Fernald
  • B. alba subsp. excelsa (Aiton) Regel
  • B. alba subsp. latifolia (Tausch) Regel
  • B. alba var. papyrifera (Marshall) Spach
  • B. alba subsp. papyrifera (Marshall) Regel
  • B. dahurica var. americana Regel
  • B. excelsa Aiton
  • B. grandis Schrad.
  • B. latifolia Tausch
  • B. lenta var. papyrifera (Marshall) Castigl.
  • B. lyalliana (Koehne) Bean
  • B. montanensis Rydb. ex B.T.Butler
  • B. papyracea Aiton
  • B. pirifolia K. Koch
  • B. subcordata Rydb. ex B.T.Butler

Betula papyrifera (paper birch,[5] also known as (American) white birch[5] and canoe birch[5]) is a short-lived species of birch native to northern North America. Paper birch is named after the tree's thin white bark, which often peels in paper-like layers from the trunk. Paper birch is often one of the first species to colonize a burned area within the northern latitudes, and is an important species for moose browsing. Primary commercial uses for paper birch wood are as boltwood and sawlogs, while secondary products include firewood and pulpwood.[6] It is the provincial tree of Saskatchewan and the state tree of New Hampshire.[7][8]

  1. ^ Stritch, L. (2014). "Betula papyrifera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T194502A2342659. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T194502A2342659.en. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  2. ^ NatureServe (2 June 2023). "Betula papyrifera". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Betula papyrifera". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2012-10-10 – via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
  4. ^ Furlow, John J. (1997). "Betula papyrifera". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). Vol. 3. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  5. ^ a b c "Betula papyrifera". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  6. ^ Stafford, L.O. (1983). Silvicultural Guide for Paper Birch in the Northeast (Revised ed.). United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Research Paper NE-535. p. 8.
  7. ^ "Saskatchewan's Provincial Tree". Archived from the original on 2013-10-31. Retrieved 2013-03-06.
  8. ^ "Fast New Hampshire Facts". NH.gov. Retrieved August 28, 2012.