The Birch genus
Finding out what Birch species you are dealing with.
The European white birch and the Downy birch can only be discerned weel in theory. The two species cross-fertilize which explains the many forms you find in the field that have characteristics of both species. Mind you there are birches that clearly belong to one of these species, but at many places there are not. These two species are the only native Dutch Birch species.
Characteristics of the species are:
- Downy Birch or Betula pubescens. When the tree is big often a very rough bark (4), end of twigs are straight, about 20 meters high. (2). Young twigs are hairy. Branches stand in a small angle rather upward.
- European white birch of Betula pendula: Often the bark is grooved near the soil upto a meter, or two meters. End of the twigs at the top hanging down. Upto 30m (2)Youngh twigs are without hair and sticky, covered with warts. Branches hang down on the ends.
- River birch or Betula nigra. Dark bark, branches and trunk with loose-hanging patches of dark smooth shiny bark. 30m. End of the branches hanging down a bit. (2)
- There are many "cultivar" species like: Paperbirch or Canoebirch that has a very white trunk or Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii
All photographed Birch species.
Leafs.
Winter photo's of bark and buds, if available.
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