Betula alleghaniensis
Yellow Birch
VT Ecotype (grown from seed)
*Seedling stock expected by 2026
Deciduous hardwood tree; slow growing; 40-60ft tall on average, but can occasionally reach up to 100ft
Monoecious—both male and female catkins form on the same tree; male catkins form in summer, last through winter, and release pollen in spring; female catkins form in autumn; leaves becomes bright yellow in fall
When crushed, its golden-yellow bark releases a pleasant wintergreen-like aromatic scent; porcupines, moose, deer, rabbits, and beaver eat the bark, especially in winter
Seeds are sought after by birds including ruffed grouse, common redpoll, pine siskin, chickadees, etc.; sap eaten by squirrels and yellow-bellied sapsuckers
Host plant to many moths and butterflies including the Mourning Cloak, Compton Tortoiseshell, Birch Dagger Moth, Chocolate Prominent, and Brown Shaded Carpet; other insects that feed on various parts of Birch include lace bugs, catkin bugs, boring beetles, long-horned beetles, leaf beetles, and more
Yellow Birch
VT Ecotype (grown from seed)
*Seedling stock expected by 2026
Deciduous hardwood tree; slow growing; 40-60ft tall on average, but can occasionally reach up to 100ft
Monoecious—both male and female catkins form on the same tree; male catkins form in summer, last through winter, and release pollen in spring; female catkins form in autumn; leaves becomes bright yellow in fall
When crushed, its golden-yellow bark releases a pleasant wintergreen-like aromatic scent; porcupines, moose, deer, rabbits, and beaver eat the bark, especially in winter
Seeds are sought after by birds including ruffed grouse, common redpoll, pine siskin, chickadees, etc.; sap eaten by squirrels and yellow-bellied sapsuckers
Host plant to many moths and butterflies including the Mourning Cloak, Compton Tortoiseshell, Birch Dagger Moth, Chocolate Prominent, and Brown Shaded Carpet; other insects that feed on various parts of Birch include lace bugs, catkin bugs, boring beetles, long-horned beetles, leaf beetles, and more
Yellow Birch
VT Ecotype (grown from seed)
*Seedling stock expected by 2026
Deciduous hardwood tree; slow growing; 40-60ft tall on average, but can occasionally reach up to 100ft
Monoecious—both male and female catkins form on the same tree; male catkins form in summer, last through winter, and release pollen in spring; female catkins form in autumn; leaves becomes bright yellow in fall
When crushed, its golden-yellow bark releases a pleasant wintergreen-like aromatic scent; porcupines, moose, deer, rabbits, and beaver eat the bark, especially in winter
Seeds are sought after by birds including ruffed grouse, common redpoll, pine siskin, chickadees, etc.; sap eaten by squirrels and yellow-bellied sapsuckers
Host plant to many moths and butterflies including the Mourning Cloak, Compton Tortoiseshell, Birch Dagger Moth, Chocolate Prominent, and Brown Shaded Carpet; other insects that feed on various parts of Birch include lace bugs, catkin bugs, boring beetles, long-horned beetles, leaf beetles, and more
Details
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Yellow, Green, Brown
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Early to mid Spring
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40-60ft on average, but if conditions are ideal, can reach up to 100ft
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On average live about 150 years; in rare, optimal cases, can live up to 300 years
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Medium, Wet
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Partial, Shade
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Mourning Cloak
Compton Tortoiseshell
Birch Dagger Moth
Chocolate Prominent
Brown Shaded Carpet -
FAC - occurs in wetlands and non-wetlands
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120+ days of cold stratification; best to plant outside in the fall; seeds require scarification; seeds require light for germination; also recommended to protect seeds from squirrels, birds, etc