Gray Birch is not quite as ornamental as other white-barked birch species, but it is still a pretty plant. It grows in an irregular fashi...Read Moreon or habit. It is fast growing, about 2 to 2.5 ft/yr. It is relatively short-lived for a tree, about 30 to 50 years. It does not get Bronze Birch Borer because it can tolerate heat over 85 degrees F. A lot of Gray Birch have been planted in southeast Pennsylvania; more than Paper Birch. It is definielty good for USDA Zone 6b in southeast PA and seems fine in Zone 7a in Delaware. When it gets old, the bark on the lower trunk does get grayish. There are lots of wild trees in the Poconos and northeast Pennsylvania.
This small tree is often confused with the paper birch (both of which are often called 'white birch'). The bark is white, but does not p...Read Moreeel. Older trees apparently do show grey patches.
I found some beautiful specimens along a local river, on a hillside, where it was identified for me. I've heard that it likes to live on mountain sides and rocky areas. I have several saplings on my property that I hope to encourage.
Gray Birch is not quite as ornamental as other white-barked birch species, but it is still a pretty plant. It grows in an irregular fashi...Read More
This small tree is often confused with the paper birch (both of which are often called 'white birch'). The bark is white, but does not p...Read More