Non-showy flowers, unisexual, catkins. The cultivar, 'Whitespire', is best known for its upright form, non-exfoliating white bark, dark green leaves and attractive yellow fall color. This tree reportedly has some resistance to the borer. This tree is noted for (1) its non-peeling chalky white bark with dark chevron trunk patches appearing below each branch base and (2) its long-pointed triangular green leaves. It also tolerates poor soils. It needs little pruning, but if necessary, prune during the dormant season. However, it is susceptible to leaf miner. Betula populifolia, commonly called gray birch, is a short-lived, narrow-columnar, suckering, deciduous tree that typically grows to 20-40’ tall. It needs little pruning, but if necessary, you can prune during the dormant season. japonica when introduced into commerce in 1983, but that designation was subsequently changed when it was determined 'Whitespire' was in fact a gray birch. Whitespire Birch is very adaptable preferring moist, well drained, slightly acidic soils. Whitespire Birch is very adaptable … In St. Louis, gray birch is best grown in medium to wet, well-drained, sandy or rocky loams in full sun to part shade. Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: This cultivar can become stressed by summer heat and humidity. The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers. The species is noted for its non-peeling chalky white bark and its long-pointed triangular green leaves. BETULA POPULIFOLIA 'WHITESPIRE' Whitespire has a beautiful spire-like upright form, white non-exfoliating bark and excellent bronze birch borer resistance. Keep the root zones cool and moist and consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches. Do not prune in winter or spring when the sap is running because it will bleed. It is native primarily from Southeastern Canada to Virginia, with a scattering of plants extending westward to Illinois. This white birch was selected at the Arboretum of the University of Wisconsin in Madison because it showed more Bronze Birch Borer resistance than most other white barked birches. NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to This species of birch grows poorly and is generally short-lived in the St. Louis climate. Green female catkins are conelike 1/2" long, with 3-lobed scales. The plant performs best in cool northern climates where summer temperatures rarely exceed 75 degrees F. and where shallow root systems are generally covered with snow throughout the winter. Ornamental Features. It most often appears in a multi-trunked form, but also grows with a single trunk. In cool northern climates, this gray birch may naturalize by self-seeding and root suckers to form attractive strands. Birch leaf miner may also cause significant problems. This plant is a cultivar of a species that is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm's Plants of the Chicago Region, with … Shiny 1.5"- 3" long 2"-3" wide, alternate, simple leaves ovate to triangular-ovate, unequally serrate to doubly serrate. Consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist. Leaves are glossy, dark green turning yellowish-green in fall. 10 Search Results. It will self-seed and form an attractive stand of trees. This cultivar demonstrates good resistance to bronze birch borer (BBB). Japanese Gray Birch grows best in medium to wet, well-drained, sandy or rocky loams in full sun to part shade. Drooping cone-like fruits contain numerous small winged seeds that typically mature in late summer. It is not recommended for planting south of USDA Zone 7. 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