Sweet Birch
Betula lenta
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Lynk media
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Genus:
- Betula
- Species:
- Betula lenta
- USDA Symbol:
- BELE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- 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 lappet moth (Phyllodesma americana), Cameraria lentella, Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Coleophora lentella, Confused Morrisonia (Morrisonia confusa), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Lettered habrosyne (Habrosyne scripta), Morrisonia latex, Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), Pettit's sallow (Pyreferra pettiti), Phyllonorycter martiella, Polia imbrifera, Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth (Lochmaeus manteo), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vau-album), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Green Comma (Polygonia faunus), Red-spotted Purple (Basilarchia arthemis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, browsed by deer
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
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 — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Best sown on surface of moist medium at cool temperatures (15-20°C).
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.
Notes: Seeds require cold stratification before germination.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuating outdoor winter temps incl. freezing for 3 months. Increase light/temp in spring.