Betula populifolia 'Whitespire'

Asian White Birch

Tips for Homeowners:

This tree requires full sun with maybe a break in the afternoon and prefers evenly moist, well-drained soil.  Best to mulch and possibly install soaker hoses.  Needs little pruning, but if needed prune in summer after sap stops running.

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The Asian White Birch is prized for its unique bark and graceful growth habit and for its resistance to the birch borer.

  • Pyramidal form
  • White bark
  • More resistant to heat stress

Plant in cool, moist soil. Best in eastern and central Kansas.

Height: 20-40 ft
Spread: 10-20 ft
Zone: 4-6
Color: Brown

Interesting Notes about Asian White Birch:

The beautiful white bark on this tree does not shed as with the River Birch and the Silver Birch, but it does have black triangular formations where the branches meet the trunk of the tree.  Due to its tolerance to heat stress it is slightly better at resisting the birch borer than the species Betula pendula.  It is thought that if the tree is grown from tissue culture ('Whitespire') rather than seed ('Whitespire Senior') there is better chance of survival from the birch borer.


Characteristics & Attributes

Attributes:

  • Great Foliage
  • Winter Interest
  • Low Maintenance
  • Specimen
  • Focal Point
  • Heat Tolerant
  • Fall Color

Foliage Color:

  • Yellow
  • Green

Exposure:

  • Full Sun
  • Partial Sun

Critter Resistance:

  • Deer Resistant

Habit:

  • Upright

Season of Interest (Foliage):

  • Fall

Soil Moisture:

  • Moist, Well-Drained