Betula hybrid 'Crimson Frost'

Betula jacquemontii (B utilis var. jacquemontii)

This species hails from the western Himalayas and has proven to be one of the best and most popular birches in the Western United States. In the East its use may be somewhat limited by lack of reliable bronze birch borer resistance. The chief attribute of this lovely tree is its stunning white bark, said to be the whitest of the birches.  Hardy to USDA zone 5.

Betula platyphylla ‘Fargo’ PP10,963

Dakota Pinnacle® is notable for is unusually narrow pyramidal habit that borders on columnar.  It is not completely resistant to borers but has a reliably high level of tolerance relative to seedlings.  The dark green foliage is retained later into the autumn than most birches, even in northern climates.  Over the years, the bark changes from darker orange white tones (on young trees) to an ultimately yellowish white on mature trees. In trials it has performed very well in areas of high wind, moderate drought, intense heat and heavy soils with elevated pH, making it a good choice for many sites in the Midwest and Mountain states that would otherwise challenge birch trees.  The tolerance to poor conditions, coupled with a unique narrow habit, make Dakota Pinnacle® an excellent addition to the list of trees for urban settings.  Widely adapted to USDA zones 3/4 to 7/8.

Betula hybrid

This is an improved red-leaved birch developed by crossing the hybrid Crimson Frost cultivar to B. populifolia ‘Whitespire’. The chief attribute of this birch is better apical dominance and straighter growth in the nursery row. From its red-leafed parent it has acquired the desirable burgundy leaf color that holds well through the summer. Fall color is a good yellow orange/red. The ultimate height of this tree should be a bit taller than ‘Crimson Frost’ (topping out at about 40’) with a spread of about 20’. The bark color is similar to Crimson Frost, white with cinnamon hues. Hardy to USDA zone 4.

Betula nigra ‘BNMTF’

As the name implies, this superior river birch selection from Georgia was selected for its notable tolerance to summer heat, so characteristic of the Deep South. Dura-Heat® also boasts a dense canopy, interesting exfoliation pattern of the bark, and good fall color which has been described as "butter-yellow". The leaves are smaller than average for the species and are spaced closely on the shoots, thereby giving the effect of a very dense canopy, even on young trees. Dura-Heat® is also rated as having greater resistance to bronze birch borer and leaf miner relative to white-barked birch species. Adapted to USDA zones 4 through 9.

Betula nigra ‘Cully’

This first-class ornamental was named 2002 Urban Tree of The Year by the Society of Municipal Arborists. The principal reasons for its having been selected for this honor are its adaptation to the urban environment, beautiful salmon/white exfoliating bark (which is interesting in all the seasons and begins at a relatively young age), resistance to bronze birch borer, and its good form. Other attributes of this fine selection include: vigorous growth, adaptation to diverse soil types, large dark green leaves, good yellow fall color, and adaptation to winter cold (to -40°F or lower) as well as intense summer heat. This cultivar can attain up to 50’ at maturity with an oval crown, spreading to approximately 35’.

WHITESPIRE POPLAR (GRAY) BIRCH

Betula populifolia ‘Whitespire’

 This tried and true selection has proven its value in the struggle against borers.  There is some amount of confusion in the nomenclature of this cultivar: Clonal propagules of the original ‘Whitespire’ selection (a single superior tree in Wisconsin) are now often referred to as “Whitespire Sr.” (senior) in the trade.  Named varieties of woody plants, especially trees, almost never “come true from seed”.  Unfortunately, seedlings of the true ‘Whitespire’ parent have been marketed over the years as the superior cultivar ‘Whitespire’.  To further compound the confusion,’Whitespire’ was originally thought to be an Asian white birch (B. platyphylla), but has since been identified as being a poplar (or gray) birch (B. populifolia), which also happens to be a species native to the United States.  As a result of these unrelated naming issues, some growers refer to seed-propagated trees of B. populifolia as Whitespire birches (implying that Whitespire is the common name for the species).  Because Whitespire was the originally-intended cultivar name for this superior upright-pyramidal tree with its bright white, non-exfoliating bark, we have elected to retain it.  Whitespire poplar birch is best adapted to northern climates, from USDA zones 4 to 6, possibly into some parts of zone 7.

SUMMER CASCADE RIVER BIRCH

Betula nigra ‘Summer Cascade’ PP15,015

A weeping form of river birch from North Carolina will make a large mounding shrub if left to its one devices.  It can be trained to any height by staking and allowed to trial from there.  It also has flexible new growth that will lend it to sculpting in any shape for even more creative applications.  The fast-growing plant tolerates wet soils and summer heat.  USDA hardiness zones 5-9.

Betula nigra ‘Little King’

WHITE SATIN™ BIRCH

Betula hybrid ‘White Satin’PPAF

 Another fine borer-resistant selection from Wisconsin, but of unknown parentage. White Satin sports beautiful satiny white bark contrasted to its large dark green leaves.  The habit is nicely pyramidal, topping out at 35’ in height by 20’ of spread.  Hardy to USDA zones 4 (possibly 3) to 7.

PRAIRIE DREAM® PAPER BIRCH

Betula papyrifera ‘Varen’ PP15,768

 This has got to be the most stress-tolerant named variety of paper birch available.  Selected from a seed source in the Kildeer mountains of western North Dakota, it should be able to take any zone 3 winter without problems.  Its bark is a beautiful snow-white, accentuated by its dark green leaves that take on a nice golden yellow tone in the fall.  After 25 years of evaluation in North Dakota, no damage from borers or cold has been seen.  The growth habit is semi pyramidal to upright oval which lends to growing it either as a single-trunked specimen or multi-stemmed.

RENAISSANCE PAPER BIRCH SERIES

Betula papyrifera

This series represents an exciting development in the history of paper birch; beautiful clonal selections which posses bronze birch borer resistance. Both are rated hardy to USDA zone 3 to 7.

Renaissance Reflection® Paper Birch ('Renci' PP12,768 ) was the first release in the series and is characterized by heat tolerance, rapid growth, and attractive pyramidal habit. The fall coloration is a nice yellow and its bark becomes a brilliant white. Of the two Renaissance varieties, this one is the more popular choice for clump or multi-stem applications.

Renaissance Oasis® Paper Birch ('Oenci' PP12,766) is the most drought tolerant selection of the series.  It has undergone extensive testing in the heat of southwestern Ohio and is Bronze Birch Borer resistant.  The juvenile bark is also an outstanding reddish bronze turning white with attractive exfoliation.  Because of it distinctive pyramidal form, Renaissance Oasis® is the best choice for single-stem specimen use.

CUTLEAF WEEPING BIRCH

Betula pendula ‘Dalecarlica’

The famous cutleaf weeping birch, features finely cut leaves and a very pronounced weeping habit of growth, one of the most popular accent trees of all time.  The Cutleaf Weeping Birch has narrowly oval with slender branches with weeping tips.  The deeply but ferny leaves turn an outstanding yellow in the fall.  The Cutleaf Weeping Birch will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet.  USDA hardiness zone 2.

YOUNG’S WEEPING BIRCH

Betula pendula ‘Youngii’

Young’s weeping birch develops a dense mass of growth which clusters at the top of the trunk to form a dome shaped head with long, pendent, slender branches that often reach the ground.  This easily shaped tree is especially suited to a small garden with a mature size of 15 feet tall and 20 feet spread.  USDA cold hardiness zone 2.