Taxonomy
| Clade | angiosperm |
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| Family | Betulaceae |
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| Genus | Betula |
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| Species | lenta |
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| Common Name | sweet birch |
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| iTree Code | BELE |
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Plant Form
| Form | Tree: narrow pyramidal crown when young, spreading irregular crown with age |
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| Height | 60 feet |
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| Spread | 30 feet |
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| Deciduous | Yes |
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Identification Description
| Foliage | green, oval to narrowly heart shaped with pointed tip; single or doubly-serrated edges; hair on veins and leaf stem (petiole) |
Leaf Type
 |
Simple |
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| Bark | dark purple/brown with lenticels; cracking into stiff plates, then furrowed ridges |
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| Bud | brown/red, conical and pointed with overlapping (imbricate) scales |
Bud Arrangement
|
Alternate |
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| Twig | slender, red/brown with lenticels and spur shoots; wintergreen smell and taste when crushed |
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| Flower | catkins; male: performed (year before), narrow, 2-3" long; female: shorter and broader; male and female on same tree (monoecious) |
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| Fruit | small winged nutlet |
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| Fall Color | bright yellow |
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Site Characteristics
| USDA Zones
|
pH Levels | Salt Tolerance |
| Min | 4a |
Min | 5.0 |
Soil | Intolerant |
| Max | 7a |
Max | 7.4 |
Spray | Intolerant |
| Shade Tolerance | Drought Tolerance | Allelopathy |
| Intolerant |
Moderate |
Yes |
Species Status
| Nebraska Native |
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| U.S. Native |
|
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| Region of Origin | United States, Canada |
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| More Information | Visit External Site |
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