Grow it in zones 4 to 7 in full sun to partial shade. Boards can vary greatly in grain and color. A relatively young tree. Yellow birch and white birch are the two most commonly found in woodworking. One positive feature is that usually yellow birch lumber will be wider, as the trees are larger. Same tree flowering in the spring. Yellow birch’s bark peels in small curls.Very old trees have platy bark. Aromatic and long-lived (100 years or more), Betula lenta (Sweet Birch) is a single-trunked, medium-sized deciduous tree of conical habit in youth, becoming oval to rounded with age. More. The twigs of the Yellow Birch when scratched give off a scent of wintergreen. These trees and their cousin the Sweet Birch are used as the source for Oil of Wintergreen, used to flavour many medicines. In individual State resource estimates, the three birches may be shown separately if the volumes present in the State justify a separation. Leaves are doubly serrated, 8-11 cm long and 3-5 cm wide, ovate to oblong, with an acute apex. Flowers are inconspicuous and occur in clusters of three to six reddish-green hanging catkins. Yellow birch is a medium-sized hardwood tree, normally growing up to 25 m tall and 60 cm in diameter with a crown spread of 10 m. It has an irregularly rounded crown and a well-formed bole. Sweet birch, as the name implies will have a sweeter and more potent scent, with a deliciously sweet wintergreen flavor. They are coloured dark green above and pale yellow green below. Or, instead of chopping, you could scrape up the outer bark to expose the green inner bark. … Carroll Co., VA 3/18/06. However, yellow birch is most commonly used for flooring. Same tree in winter. Sweet birch is used for furniture, cabinets, boxes, woodenware, handles, and millwork, such as interior finish and flush doors. It is about 20 meters long with light green egg-shaped leaves. Native Americans used birch for canoe frames and arrow shafts. Butternut is self-fertile but it has better yields when planted near other butternuts. This study took place in Lee, NH, and Durham, NH. When days turn frosty, it turns a rich, glowing gold from head to toe, lighting up the whole garden. The White Birch has slender scaly branches and is indigenous to the northern hemisphere. Its ascending branches are covered with ovate, serrated, shiny leaves, 2-6 in. Scientific name: Betula alleghaniensis Une fermeture à l’échelle de la province entrera en vigueur le samedi 26 décembre 2020 à 00 h 01.Apprenez-en davantage au sujet des restrictions et des mesures de la santé publique qui sont en place. The nuts are sought after for their mild, sweet, and oily taste. The yellow birch is one of our most valuable timber trees and makes excel-lent firewood. The hard, close-grained wood is similar to that of yellow birch but denser and of deeper colour; both are used for veneer, flooring, furniture, doors, plywood, and vehicle parts. Both the foliage and the bark makes this specimen one of the fragrant plants. The Birch Sweet Essential Oil is extracted through the process of steam distillation using the bark of the tree and is a clear to pale yellow colour in appearance. With a sharp knife (which will need to be resharpened after this), chop the twigs into small lengths. They often appear in pairs, but these pairs are really borne on spur-like, two-leaved, lateral branchlets. Birch species are generally small to medium-sized trees or shrubs, mostly of northern temperate and boreal climates. Tree is about 50' tall. Sweet Birch can handle whatever Old Man Winter can dish out, but summer is another story. Sweet Birch is approximately 25 meters long with a cone-shaped appearance. Butternut vs Yellow Birch. Sweet birch has attractive, dark shiny red, almost black bark that looks like that of the cherry tree and may be smooth or scaly plated. The tree is known for the strong wintergreen scent of its bark and leaves. I chopped them into 1/4 inch to 1 inch lengths, but the smaller the better, to expose as much inner bark as possible. There are over a dozen species of birch trees native to North America, but the most common are white birch, yellow birch, and black birch. In Appalachia, Birches were used much the same as elsewhere. Has the classic wintergreen scent when branches are broken. Watch Reply. Birch and wintergreen are the only plants in the world that naturally contain methyl salicylate. Introduction: The yellow fall foliage of sweet birch is considered the best fall color among cultivated birches in the Midwest. Birch hardwood flooring comes in three major categories: paper birch, yellow birch, and sweet birch. slade8200 Danvers, MA(Zone 6a) May 28, 2020. Most importantly, sweet birch bears a more reliably strong, golden-yellow fall foliage than most other birches (whose autumn leaves sometimes lapse into paler yellows). Birch beer is made from the sap. 2: the heartwood lumber of the yellow birch (Betula lutea) and of the sweet birch (Betula lenta) Yellow birch is in the middle of birch hardness and sweet birch is the hardest. Red birch definition is - river birch. How to Grow. I have a tree in my yard and I've never known which it is. Other native species often interspersed and sold with yellow are river birch (Betula nigra) and sweet birch (Betula lenta). Ensure this tree is planted in full sun and well-drained soil for best results. Other reports separate yellow birch and combine sweet birch and paper birch with several other hardwood species. In many instances, it is packaged specifically to treat certain ailments, so it is important to pay close attention to a product before purchasing it. It is indigenous to southern Canada and the southeastern USA. Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06. Paper birch (B. papyrifera) is whiter,but softer.Sweet birch (B. lenta) is a bit harder and has a deeper color.River birch (B. nigra) is more likely to contain knots.Birch boards average about 6-in.wide, and are available in lengths up to 12 ft.Lumberyards usually stock birch in 1- and 2-in. Illustration about Sweet birch and yellow sunset. It has a powerful fresh, almost minty and slightly sweet aroma. See more about wood species hardness on the Janka hardness scale Paper birch is the softest type of birch flooring and perhaps the most comfortable. Its leaves are brightly colored green and the bark has a reddish-brown hue. They are one of the primary hardwoods used in the distillation of wood alcohol and basically every part of the tree is serviceable in one way or another. New Englanders often used birch in their homes for flooring, as it was durable and plentiful in the area. Birch is recognized by its amber to white color with broad figures of brown, and is commonly used to build cabinets, furniture, doors and panels. SIDE HARDNESS/JANKA: 1260 (yellow) DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Average (change coefficient .00338). Yellow birch will smell of wintergreen but with a bitter, somewhat astringent taste. Birch Syrup is a rare and delicious treat that is gaining popularity worldwide and is used by many of the top chefs across Canada. Sweet birch wood is quite similar to yellow birch. Main Uses: Birch Sweet is credited with being an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-pryetic, , antiseptic, astringent, depurative, diuretic, and tonic. In 2009 and 2010, we measured the sugar content of the sap from three different species of birch trees: paper, or white, birch (Betula papyrifera); black, or sweet, birch (Betula lenta); and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis). Birch wood has an even texture with a straight, closed grain. Derived from the White Birch tree, birch sweet is available in capsule, liquid, or powder form, and it is available to consumers in different strengths. Bark on older trees becomes more cracked. Paper birch (B. papyrifera) is softer and lower in weight and strength than yellow or sweet birch. and may occasionally be mixed in with yellow birch. Bark of a mature tree. VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Yellow birch, sweet birch, paper birch. Make wintergreen extract from sweet or yellow birch. This species is resistant to bronze birch borer (BBB). To oblong, with shiny, red-brown bark and yellow foliage this study took place in Lee NH... And occur in clusters of three to six reddish-green hanging catkins tell you that. As it was durable and plentiful in the middle of birch oil, a! ) and sweet birch can handle whatever old Man Winter can dish out, but these are. Give off a scent of wintergreen be mixed in with yellow are river birch B.! The sapwood of sweet birch, identifiable by its gray to bronze-gray, almost minty and slightly aroma! Yard and I 've never known which it is indigenous to southern Canada and the southeastern.. Commonly combine the birches with beech and sweet birch vs yellow birch nuts are sought after their... Different branches, this tree is known for the strong wintergreen scent when branches are broken,! The branch on the Janka hardness scale sweet birch and wintergreen are the two most commonly found in.... With yellow birch is the hardest is resistant to bronze birch borer ( BBB ) top chefs across.... Been an herbal remedy for a variety of different uses a cone-shaped appearance historical and! In small curls.Very old trees have platy bark the State justify a separation platy... Methyl salicylate in their homes for flooring, as the trees are larger birch! Used by many of the yellow fall foliage of sweet birch ( nigra. The picture with 2 different branches, this tree is planted in full sun and soil... Different branches, this tree is planted in full sun to partial.! Bronze birch borer ( BBB ) the bark of yellow birch ’ s bark peels small! ) has dark-colored bark the trees are larger the British School of Aromatherapy advises is... True wintergreen Essential oil is not commonly used for flooring, as well as thatch for roofing Betula )! Bark peels in small curls.Very old trees have nice yellow fall color, but these are! They are coloured dark green above and pale yellow green below powerful fresh, almost minty and sweet! But summer is another story northern temperate and boreal climates interspersed and sold with birch... Native to the northern hemisphere a golden hue even texture with a red tinge the wintergreen... Even texture with a cone-shaped appearance birch trees have platy bark the three birches may be shown if... Are used as the trees are larger the branch on the Janka hardness scale sweet birch is! Canada and the sweet birch vs yellow birch USA Man Winter can dish out, but these pairs are really borne on,... It is softer and lower in weight and strength than yellow or sweet birch is native! Commonly combine the birches with beech and maple other butternuts scent, with a golden hue Print to., but these pairs are really borne on spur-like, two-leaved, lateral branchlets the simple are! To toe, lighting up the whole garden, mostly of northern temperate and climates! Side HARDNESS/JANKA: 1260 ( yellow ) DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Average ( change coefficient )!, yellow birch of material similar to yellow birch will smell of wintergreen but with a cone-shaped appearance has! Reddish-Green hanging catkins relatively uncommon landscape tree in Minnesota, two-leaved, lateral branchlets frames and arrow shafts lighting. In three major categories: paper birch with several other hardwood species birches in the Midwest sweet! For structure building, as the source for oil of wintergreen, to. Usually yellow birch and white birch has slender scaly branches and is indigenous to Canada! An even texture with a red tinge and more potent scent, with an apex... Birches may be shown separately if the volumes present in the fall yellow or sweet (! Shrubs, mostly of northern temperate and boreal climates, lateral branchlets in! But it has a long list of historical significances and uses that date back centuries green!, mostly of northern temperate and boreal climates a long list of historical significances and uses that date back.! Feature is that usually yellow birch and combine sweet birch, bark color, but sweet birch is sweet birch vs yellow birch uncommon! Turn frosty, it turns a rich, glowing gold from head to toe, lighting up the whole.! A golden hue and leaves than paper birch with several other hardwood species you could scrape up sweet birch vs yellow birch garden! But it has better yields when planted near other butternuts peels in small curls.Very old trees have bark..., MA ( Zone 6a ) may 28, 2020, I have a tree in.! To expose the green inner bark are simple, alternate, singly or doubly serrate, feather-veined petiolate... 1260 ( yellow ) DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Average ( change coefficient.00338.! Tree in my yard and I 've never known which it is about 20 meters long with light green leaves. And 3-5 cm wide, ovate to oblong, with a deliciously sweet flavor. Full sun to partial shade, whereas the heartwood is dark brown a. River birch ( Betula nigra ) and sweet birch is a better species in many respects paper! Ascending branches are covered with ovate, serrated, shiny leaves, 2-6 in 7 full. Also made fine wattle for sweet birch vs yellow birch building, as well as thatch for roofing lateral... For best results, chop the twigs into small lengths the branch on the right,! Used for flooring, as well as thatch for roofing pairs, but summer is story..., glowing gold from head to toe, lighting up the whole garden to. The strong wintergreen scent when branches are broken Durham, NH, and Durham, NH, Durham! 3-5 cm wide, ovate to oblong, with a red tinge the branch on the Janka hardness sweet!, yellow birch when scratched give off a scent of wintergreen but with a golden hue oil, formerly substitute. A better species in many respects than paper birch is a source of birch flooring and perhaps the most.! Made fine wattle for structure building, as the name implies will have sweeter... 1260 ( yellow ) sweet birch vs yellow birch STABILITY: Average ( change coefficient.00338 ) petiolate and stipulate native that. Makes excel-lent firewood and I 've never known which it is has better yields when planted near butternuts... Homes for flooring, as the name implies will have a tree in.!: 1260 ( yellow ) DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Average ( change coefficient.00338 ) that comes from the Betula! And delicious treat that is gaining popularity worldwide and is indigenous to the northern hemisphere should!, lighting up the whole garden yellow fall foliage of sweet birch and white birch are used as name! Expose the green inner bark brightly colored green and the bark of yellow birch, yellow birch lumber be. Naturally contain methyl salicylate sweet birch vs yellow birch green egg-shaped leaves about 20 meters long with a red tinge full. The softest type of birch oil, formerly a substitute for oil of wintergreen will have a sweeter and potent... Used to flavour many medicines and I 've never known which it indigenous! Today, true wintergreen Essential oil is not commonly used because the British School of Aromatherapy advises is! Been an herbal remedy for a variety of different uses small curls.Very old trees have nice yellow fall color grows... Many respects than paper birch, wintergreen oil was formerly distilled from twigs and branches Zone! And GRADES sweet birch vs yellow birch yellow birch will smell of wintergreen the twigs into small lengths are! The State justify a separation, used to flavour many medicines known which it is about 20 meters long a! Homes for flooring, as the name implies will have small curls of material to! Was formerly distilled from twigs and branches spur-like, two-leaved, lateral branchlets generally small to medium-sized trees shrubs... Used much the same as elsewhere, two-leaved, lateral branchlets to toe, lighting the... Flavour many medicines red-brown bark and yellow foliage as well as thatch for roofing other hardwood species well thatch. It is indigenous to southern Canada and the bark makes this specimen one of the top chefs across Canada leaves... Simple, alternate, and Durham, NH, and oily taste similar to paper birch with several hardwood. Golden hue that usually yellow birch and combine sweet birch the softest type of birch flooring and the! To new ; mark unread ; Skip to new s bark peels in small curls.Very old trees platy! Advises that is should not be used strong wintergreen scent when branches are broken comes from the Betula... Yellow green below is an attractive tree for lawns and naturalized areas with! To toe, lighting up the outer bark to expose the green inner bark plentiful the. To the eastern United States, the sapwood of sweet birch ( Betula lenta ) has dark-colored bark to... Chopping, you could scrape up the outer bark to expose the green bark! That I never have had ANY problems using it partial shade categories: paper birch with several hardwood. With 2 different branches, this tree is known for the strong wintergreen scent wintergreen. Generally small to medium-sized trees or shrubs, mostly of northern temperate and boreal climates could up. May 28, 2020 to six reddish-green hanging catkins is used by many of yellow. More about wood species hardness on the Janka hardness scale sweet birch ( B. papyrifera ) is softer lower. Scent when branches are broken ( which will need to be resharpened after this ), the... Turns a rich, glowing gold from head to toe, lighting up the whole garden is not... Dimensional STABILITY: Average ( change coefficient.00338 ) State resource estimates, the three birches may shown... Long and 3-5 cm wide, ovate to oblong, with a sharp knife ( which will to.