Canoe Birch
Betula papyrifera Marshall
Betula papyrifera, known as Canoe Birch, is a short-lived birch species native to northern North America. It is characterized by its thin, white, peeling bark and is commonly found in regions such as Labrador, Newfoundland, Alberta, and parts of the United States. The tree plays a key role in colonizing burned areas and is an important browse species for moose. Its wood is used for boltwood, sawlogs, firewood, and pulpwood. Betula papyrifera is the provincial tree of Saskatchewan and the state tree of New Hampshire.
Description
Betula papyrifera belongs to the Betulaceae family and is native to a wide range across Canada and the northern United States. It is known for its distinctive white bark that peels in paper-like layers. The species is often among the first to colonize disturbed or burned areas in northern ecosystems. It is an important food source for moose. Commercially, the wood is used for boltwood and sawlogs, while secondary uses include firewood and pulpwood. The species was first described in 1785 by Marshall. It is the provincial tree of Saskatchewan and the state tree of New Hampshire.
Other common names
Canoe BirchPaper BirchSilver BirchWhite Birch
Distribution
Labrador · Newfoundland · Alberta · British Columbia · Manitoba · New Brunswick · Nova Scotia · Northwest Territories · Ontario · Prince Edward Island · Quebec · Saskatchewan · Yukon · Saint Pierre and Miquelon · Belgium · Flemish Region · GB · SE · Vermont-US · AM · NO · Global · Alaska · Colorado · Connecticut · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Maine
Synonyms
Betula alba var. commutataBetula alba subsp. excelsaBetula alba var. papyriferaBetula davurica var. americanaBetula excelsaBetula grandisBetula kenaicaBetula latifoliaBetula papyrifera var. lyallianaBetula montanensisBetula neoalaskana var. kenaicaBetula papyraceaBetula papyrifera var. commutataBetula papyrifera subsp. commutataBetula papyrifera var. elobataBetula papyrifera var. kenaicaBetula papyrifera subsp. kenaicaBetula papyrifera var. macrostachyaBetula papyrifera var. papyriferaBetula papyrifera var. pensilisBetula papyrifera var. subcordataBetula papyrifera subsp. subcordataBetula pirifoliaBetula subcordataBetula alba var. elobataBetula alba subsp. papyriferaBetula kamtschatica var. kenaicaBetula lenta var. papyriferaBetula papyracea var. grandisBetula papyrifera var. andrewsii