Birch, Water (Black) - Betula occidentalis

A small tree or large shrub up to 10 meters (30 feet) tall frequently found in crowded dense thickets; bark is thin, smooth, with horizontal pores, almost black on young trees, turning reddish-brown with age; branches are slender, upright, covered with numerous glands (small bumps); leaves are alternate, deciduous, with rounded wedge shaped base and pointed tip, entire near base extending to double row of fine sharp-pointed teeth, dark greenish-yellow and shiny above, paler and gland dotted below, sometimes tufts of hair at junctions of veins; flower catkins male and female same tree; fruit tiny winged seed in hanging or spreading small cone. Habitat is along rivers, streams, springs and moist locations at mid elevations on a variety of gravelly, cobbly to medium textured soils. Sow fresh seed in late summer to fall or prechill seed for 21 days at 20 to 30°C and sow in spring. Press seed into soil or very lightly cover with soil (sunlight is very important in the propagation process). Transplant young seedlings at one to two years old. Seedlings require shade during summer.

Field propagation by dormant unrooted hardwood cuttings is rarely successful.

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Last Modified: 07/05/2007