Yellow Birch
Betula alleghaniensis
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
Nichole Ouellette/ouellette001.com
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Genus:
- Betula
- Species:
- Betula alleghaniensis
- USDA Symbol:
- BEAL2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana), Arched Hooktip (Drepana arcuata), birch leaffolder (Ancylis discigerana), birch skeletonizer (Bucculatrix canadensisella), Cameraria betulivora, Canadian Melanolophia (Melanolophia canadaria), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), clear dagger moth (Acronicta clarescens), Coleophora lentella, common gray (Anavitrinella pampinaria), cymatophoroides false owlet moth (Pseudothyatira cymatophoroides), elm spanworm moth (Ennomos subsignaria), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), fragile dagger moth (Acronicta fragilis), friendly probole (Probole amicaria), Gluphisia septentrionis, Great Ash Sphinx (Sphinx chersis), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Heterocampa biundata, Hethemia pistasciaria, Interrupted Dagger Moth (Acronicta interrupta), Itame anataria, Itame quadrilinearia, Lace-winged zale (Zale minerea), lemon plagodis (Plagodis serinaria), maple looper moth (Parallelia bistriaris), Maple spanworm (Ennomos magnaria), Modest Sphinx (Pachysphinx modesta), Morrison's sallow (Eupsilia morrisoni), Morrisonia latex, Mournful Thorn (Lambdina fiscellaria), Nameless Pinion (Lithophane innominata), Nites betulella, Nites grotella, Norman's Quaker (Crocigrapha normani), Obliquebanded leafroller (Choristoneura rosaceana), Olethreutes auricapitana, Orthosia revicta, ovate dagger moth (Acronicta ovata), Parornix vicinella, Pettit's sallow (Pyreferra pettiti), Porcelain Gray (Protoboarmia porcelaria), Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua), Saddled Prominent (Heterocampa guttivitta), signate melanolophia moth (Melanolophia signataria), Strawberry Leafroller (Ancylis comptana), Unmarked dagger moth (Acronicta innotata), Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth (Lochmaeus manteo), variegated midget (Elaphria versicolor), Wanton Pinion (Lithophane petulca), white slant-line (Tetracis cachexiata), White-dotted Prominent (Nadata gibbosa), white-fringed emerald (Nemoria mimosaria), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), white-spot moth (Antaeotricha leucillana), woodland leafroller (Pandemis lamprosana), Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana ministra), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Green Comma (Polygonia faunus), Red-spotted Purple (Basilarchia arthemis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Cameraria betulivora, Ectoedemia quadrinotata, Lyonetia prunifoliella, maple leafcutter moth (Paraclemensia acerifoliella)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, golden
- Fire Notes:
- Thin bark makes it susceptible to fire damage. Does not resprout well after fire and is typically eliminated from stands by repeated burning.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers cool, moist environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination and should be surface sown. Fresh seed germinates best; viability decreases rapidly in storage.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI