Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera
Popular ornamental tree in Tri-Cities gardens, though often struggles in urban heat. Native to cooler areas of BC.
FormbarkbarkHow to recognise it
Height
15-25m (50-80ft)
Trunk
Up to 0.5m diameter with distinctive white, papery bark that peels in horizontal strips
Needles
Oval to triangular (5-10cm) with doubly-serrated edges, turning bright yellow in fall
Cones
Produces small hanging catkins (male) and upright catkins (female) that release tiny winged seeds
Quick check
- Striking white bark that peels in papery layers
- Bark has distinctive horizontal lenticels (lines)
- Often grows in clumps with multiple stems
- Brilliant yellow fall colour
- Delicate, airy crown structure
Photo guide
6 things to look for: photographs coming
Care
Watering. Requires consistent moisture. Very sensitive to drought stress, which invites bronze birch borer.
Pruning. Prune only when dormant to prevent excessive sap bleeding. Avoid heavy pruning. Best time: Late fall to early winter only (bleeds heavily if pruned in spring)
Maintenance. Moderate to high maintenance. Requires consistent watering during dry spells. Mulch heavily to keep roots cool and moist.
Common issues
- Bronze birch borer (often fatal)
- Birch leafminer
- Heat stress in urban environments
- Short-lived compared to conifers (60-80 years)
Roots
Shallow, fibrous root system Roots typically extend to the drip line or slightly beyond
Hazards
Windfall risk
Medium
Branch drop risk
Low
Warning signs to watch for
- Crown dieback starting at top
- D-shaped exit holes in bark (bronze birch borer)
- Yellowing leaves in summer
- Bark peeling excessively or falling off
- Reduced leaf size
Removal considerations
Difficulty: LowTypical cost: $$- Relatively small size makes access easier
- Wood is soft and easy to cut
- Shallow roots make stump removal straightforward
- Often planted ornamentally near homes
- May have emotional value to homeowners
Permits
Paper Birch is the one common species that genuinely may fall under the threshold. Permit thresholds vary across the region: 15cm or 5m tall in Port Coquitlam, 20cm in Anmore, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, New Westminster and Delta, 30cm in Port Moody and Surrey, and 30.5cm for conifers in Burnaby (Belcarra regulates only trees 5m+ in its mapped permit areas). A garden birch under 20cm is exempt in most municipalities but not in Anmore or Belcarra, where any removal needs a permit. Measure at 1.4m before assuming.
Tree bylaws by city