Birches are classic trees of the cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Most grow in moist, frigid regions, and some species are among the most cold tolerant trees on earth. Birches are generally short-lived, early successional species.
Birches are very important trees in many cultures, having religious significance and a variety of practical uses. Several cultures used the bark as an early form of paper. For these reasons and because of their beautiful white bark, birches are popular trees and are planted throughout the US, including Sacramento.
Unfortunately, birches tolerate heat and drought poorly, and do not heal well from injury. Worse yet, all exotic species are subject to severe damage and mortality from a native beetle, the bronze birch borer, which has no effective treatment.
European silver birch, B. penudula, is the most common species locally but is usually in a state of serious decline or death. A few other species can be seen on occasion, but the only other notable species is the river birch, B. nigra. River birch is native to the Southeast, so it resists the borers and tolerates heat better than any other species. Unfortunately, it is not very drought resistant and can be susceptible to mistletoe.
Overall birches are a poor choice for our area, but B. nigra can succeed in areas that will be frequently and consistently irrigated.
Birches are very important trees in many cultures, having religious significance and a variety of practical uses. Several cultures used the bark as an early form of paper. For these reasons and because of their beautiful white bark, birches are popular trees and are planted throughout the US, including Sacramento.
Unfortunately, birches tolerate heat and drought poorly, and do not heal well from injury. Worse yet, all exotic species are subject to severe damage and mortality from a native beetle, the bronze birch borer, which has no effective treatment.
European silver birch, B. penudula, is the most common species locally but is usually in a state of serious decline or death. A few other species can be seen on occasion, but the only other notable species is the river birch, B. nigra. River birch is native to the Southeast, so it resists the borers and tolerates heat better than any other species. Unfortunately, it is not very drought resistant and can be susceptible to mistletoe.
Overall birches are a poor choice for our area, but B. nigra can succeed in areas that will be frequently and consistently irrigated.