15 Types of Birch Trees To Grow

• Light: Full sun to part shade

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained loams, acidic, sandy, rocky

• Mature Size: 40 to 70 feet

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8 

Cherry Birch is a type of birch tree commonly found in Canada and the North-South Range of the US, including southern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and down the Appalachian Mountains to northern Alabama and Georgia. This tree is not ornamental, but its wood is valuable for furniture, flooring, and tool handles due to its strength and density. 

These trees have simple, alternate, and oval-shaped leaves with finely serrated edges, which are green in summer and turn golden yellow in fall. Furthermore, they thrive in cool, moist, well-drained soils and can be found in mountainous areas or mixed hardwood forests.

• Light: Full sun to part shade

• Soil Needs: Naturally soggy soil

• Mature Size: Shrubby form can grow 25 feet tall, as a tree, to 40 feet 

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7 

One of the birch tree types, The Water Birch, is a fast-growing, small native tree or shrub found in clusters along the banks of streams and lakes in western North America. Unlike many birches with white peeling bark, the Water Birch has a smooth, reddish-brown to black bark with horizontal lenticels (pores on the bark), but it doesn't peel like other birches.

It has thin, ovate, coarsely toothed leaves that are typically 1-2 inches long. Like cherry birch, these trees' leaves are green in summer and turn yellow in fall.

• Light: Full sun to light shade

• Soil Needs: Moist, sandy, loamy

• Mature Size: 45 to 100 feet 

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 7

Paper Birch, also known as the canoe birch, is famous for its beautiful peeling white bark, which can be used for writing. This makes it a culturally significant tree for some Indigenous groups. Beyond its cultural importance, this tree has several other uses. 

In modern times, its wood is used for pulpwood, veneer, and firewood. Similarly, the leaves and twigs are also browsed by animals. While most paper used today comes from softwood trees, historically, the bark of the paper birch tree, part of the birch tree genus, was used to create writing material.

• Light: Full sun to light shade

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining soil

• Mature Size: 45 to 100 feet 

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 7 

The Manchurian Birch (Betula dahurica) is a deciduous, monoecious tree with white or grayish-white bark that peels in horizontal strips. This fast-growing tree is native to Korea, Japan, and northern China which can grow up to 80 feet tall. Plus, it has oval-shaped leaves that turn yellow in fall.

Although these trees are a popular choice for landscaping in many parts of the world, they are prone to a number of pests and diseases, including bronze birch borer and birch leafminer. So, if you are considering growing a birch tree, especially a Manchurian, you have to understand its nature and susceptibility.

Thus, talk to your local gardener or do your research to ensure that the tree is suitable for your climate and growing conditions.

• Light: Full sun 

• Soil Needs: Medium to wet, well-drained, sandy

• Mature Size: 40 to 80 feet, depending on cultivar 

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 7 but can be grown in 8 and 9 but will have a shorter life

Although, The Silver Birch tree is a native to Europe and ports of Asia, it is widely planted as a landscape tree around the world. The most recognizable feature os these birch trees are the golden-brown bark that becomes white as the tree matures. 

The leaves are small and triangular-shaped with serrated edges that are light green in spring and summer, turning a vibrant yellow in autumn before falling.

• Light: Full sun to part shade 

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, sandy, or rocky loam

• Mature Size: 40 to 50 feet 

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8

The Japanese White Birch is a beautiful ornamental tree prized for its elegant form and striking white bark. Also known as the Asian White Birch, it is native to northeast China, Korea, and Japan but is cultivated worldwide for its aesthetic appeal.

As they are ornamental, you can plant them in your garden or backyard. They can be used as a focal point in groupings to create a striking visual statement. Plus, they are relatively low-maintenance but may require occasional pruning to remove dead or diseased branches.

Are they susceptible to pests or diseases, I hear you ask? Yes, this tree might catch aphids, sawflies, and fungal leaf spots. Therefore, encourage beneficial insects like Ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps to control pest populations naturally. Also, water it and prune it regularly to maintain airflow and wet soil.

• Light: Full sun 

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, rocky, nutrient-poor, acidic

• Mature Size: 6 inches to 3 feet tall 

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 1 to 8

Bog Birch is a charming, medium-sized shrub that thrives in wet locations. Native to North America, , this short-lived but attractive plant is a fantastic choice for rain gardens or landscapes near ponds and bogs. It tolerates a variety of conditions, including occasional flooding, alkaline or clay soil, and even road salt.

Unlike many plants that struggle in wet environments, Bog Birch forms attractive clumps and offers seasonal beauty with green leaves turning vibrant yellow in fall. 

However, Bog Birch isn't as readily available as some other landscaping plants due to its specific habitat preference. Though it thrives in moist environments, it wouldn't do well in drier locations.

• Light: Full sun to part shade

• Soil Needs: Naturally soggy soil

• Mature Size: Shrubby form can grow 25 feet tall, as a tree, to 40 feet  

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7 

River Birch Tree are known for their tolerance for moist soils, making them a popular choice for landscapes across the country. Compared to other birches, River Birches grow relatively quickly, allowing you to enjoy a mature tree in a shorter timeframe.

So, before you plant this tree anywhere you like, choose a moist area of your backyard and fill it with well-drained soil. While this tree offers many benefits, it's important to consider its mature size, reaching up to 75 feet tall, and potential for invasiveness in some areas.

Planting it in suitable locations and with proper care ensures it flourishes in your landscape.

• Light: Full sun to part shade

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, loamy, sandy, clay

• Mature Size: 30 to 50 feet

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 7 

Unlike other birches, which peel in horizontal strips, the Himalayan Birch boasts brilliant white bark that peels in papery flakes, resembling a snowy white canvas. This dazzling display provides year-round visual interest. Plus, planting birch bark trees in your yard can attract various wildlife species, such as birds and squirrels, that enjoy their seeds and nuts. 

Besides its ornamental appeal, the Himalayan Birch has a cultural significance beyond its ornamental appeal. And what might that be, you ask? The papery bark of the Himalayan Birch has been used for centuries in India to write sacred mantras and religious texts. It's considered a symbol of knowledge and learning.

• Light: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained

• Mature Size: 15-50 feet, depending on the types

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 7

Weeping Birches are a beautiful variety of birch trees known for their cascading branches that droop gracefully towards the ground.  There are several species of birch trees that have weeping characteristics, but the most common weeping birch is the Silver Birch (Betula pendula).

In comparison to other birch trees, Weeping Birches tend to have slender trunks and a light, airy canopy. Their height can vary depending on the species, but they typically grow 40-60 feet tall with a wide canopy.

If you're considering planting a weeping birch, choose a variety that will thrive in your climate and provide the necessary care to ensure it flourishes for years to come.

• Light: Full sun  

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, rocky, nutrient-poor, acidic

• Mature Size: 6 inches to 3 feet tall

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 1 to 8

The North American Dwarf Birch (Betula nana) is a true miniature, reaching only about 3 feet tall. Native to cold, moist areas across the globe, it thrives in wet, acidic soil and forms dense thickets. While not widely available in nurseries, it's an excellent choice for bog gardens or natural landscapes.

For a wider variety and easier availability, consider Dwarf Birch cultivars. These are cultivated varieties of other birch species bred to be smaller than their wild counterparts.

Some popular options include weeping Jacquelines, which reach 15-20 feet at maturity, or bonsai birches, miniature versions of Paper or Japanese White Birch trees.  

• Light: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soils with slightly acidic to neutral pH levels. Clayey soil can be tolerated as long as drainage is adequate.

• Mature Size: Up to 25 meters (80 feet)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8

The Chinese Red Birch (Betula albosinensis), also known as the Chinese White Birch, is a stunning deciduous tree loved for its ornamental features, mainly its vibrant reddish-brown peeling bark that adds a pop of color to winter landscapes. As the Chinese Red Birch matures, the outer bark becomes a stark white, contrasting with the darker branches.

This dazzling display continues year-round, especially striking when other trees stand bare in winter. Beyond its vibrant bark, the Chinese Red Birch offers lovely dark green ovate leaves that are larger than most other birch varieties.

These provide a dense canopy in summer and transform into a golden yellow hue in fall, adding to the seasonal beauty.

• Light: Full sun to part shade

• Soil Needs: Fertile sandy loam, well-drained

• Mature Size: 50 to 80 feet

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7

The Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis), also known as golden birch or Swamp Birch, is a significant species for its beauty, contributions to the environment, and commerce. It is renowned for its striking golden bark. Unlike its peeling birch cousins, Yellow Birch boasts a vibrant display of golden yellow with streaks of gray and brown.

This dazzling display adds year-round visual interest, especially when other trees stand bare in winter. The tree itself can reach up to 100 feet tall with a broad, rounded crown and drooping branches, creating a stately presence in any landscape.

In spring and summer, the simple, oval-shaped leaves showcase a vibrant green hue, transforming into a blaze of yellow come fall, adding to the autumnal spectacle.

• Light: Full sun to part shade

• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained

• Mature Size: 30 to 50 feet tall with a spread of 20 to 30 feet.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 7

The defining characteristic of the Schmid Birch is its incredibly strong and dense wood, earning it the nickname "Iron Birch." This allows it to thrive in harsh conditions and resist wind damage. Its near-black colored bark with a fissured texture adds a unique touch to your landscape. 

While it doesn't peel extensively like some birch varieties, the dark color contrasts sharply against lighter backdrops. Young trees have a smoother, golden-brown bark that matures into its characteristic dark shade.

The fast-growing Schmid Birch can reach up to 100 feet tall, developing a broad, rounded crown with sturdy branches, creating a majestic presence in any landscape.

• Light: Full sun to part shade

• Soil Needs: Very adaptable; can tolerate occasional dampness so long as the soil is well-draining

• Mature Size: 20 to 40 feet

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 6

Betula populifolia is a charming deciduous tree native to eastern North America and is often found in disturbed areas like clearings and abandoned farms. Earning the nickname "pioneer tree," it thrives in these environments, helping restore healthy forest ecosystems. Unlike its white-barked birch relatives, the Gray Birch boasts a unique appearance. 

Its non-peeling, chalky white bark has occasional gray chevrons, creating a captivating texture on young trees. Furthermore, it darkens slightly with age but retains its overall light color. 

The Gray Birch typically grows as a single or multi-trunked tree with a slender, columnar crown and branches that reach nearly to the ground, creating a graceful silhouette. While it can reach heights of 35-50 feet at maturity, it's not known for its grand stature.