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This deciduous tree, at maturity averages 21-24 metres and has a trunk of 25 to 30 cm in diameter. In the Algonquin Highlands forests, you’ll find the White Birch has a slender trunk with a narrow crown as it is shade-intolerant. But in openings it will have a wider crown spreading out from near the base. Multiple-stemmed trees are relatively common as a result of browsing by Moose and Snowshoe Hares. They are relatively short-lived, few more than 140 years.
The White Birch has shallow roots, no deeper than 60 cm below the soil surface. Its bark is reddish-brown on saplings; on mature trees it becomes thin, white, and smooth, often separating into papery strips, and easily peeled off in sheets. It grows best on deep, well-drained to moderately well-drained, sandy or silty soils.
White-tailed Deer, Beaver, Porcupines, birds and small mammals feed on this tree, from its bark to its seeds. Native Americans used its bark to make canoes, and many other household items, such as baskets and storage containers. Its strong and flexible wood was made into spears, bows, arrows, snowshoes, sleds, and other items. Now it is commercially used for veneer, plywood, pulpwood, and lumber. Its sap is collected to make syrup, wine, beer, and medicinal tonics.
Reproduction occurs both by seed and by root sprouts. It develops flowers in the spring from catkins that were developed the previous fall. These double-winged seeds are dispersed mostly by wind. Diseased trees suffer from bacteria or decay fungi enters through the tree’s wounds and branch stubs, and through its roots that come in contact with the roots of other trees infected with root-rotting fungi.
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