Gray Birch
Betula populifolia
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Genus:
- Betula
- Species:
- Betula populifolia
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- More than 40 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr
- Bloom Colors:
- Green, Brown
Native Range
United States: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, Canada: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acleris tripunctana, Acronicta dactylina, American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana), Angus's datana (Datana angusii), Anopina ednana, Arched Hooktip (Drepana arcuata), birch skeletonizer (Bucculatrix canadensisella), birch tubemaker moth (Acrobasis betulella), Caloptilia coroniella, Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Chain-lined geometer moth (Cingilia catenaria), Dark-spotted Palthis (Palthis angulalis), Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), Epinotia stroemiana, Eurois astricta, Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), Grey pug (Eupithecia subfuscata), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Heterocampa biundata, Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae), hopping needle tortricid moth (Epinotia solicitana), Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Infant Moth (Archiearis infans), Io moth (Automeris io), Itame anataria, Itame quadrilinearia, Lacanobia nevadae, Lacinipolia lorea, Limbata angle moth (Nematocampa limbata), Maple spanworm (Ennomos magnaria), Melanchra assimilis, Mesothea incertata, Metarranthis sp., New England buck moth (Hemileuca lucina), Oligia mactata, Pink-spotted Dart Moth (Pseudohermonassa bicarnea), Polia detracta, Polia imbrifera, Polia purpurissata, Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Pyreferra citrombra, Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua), Silver-spotted Ghost Moth (Sthenopis argenteomaculatus), tawny brown carpet moth (Anacamptodes ephyraria), Tortricidia flexuosa, wheatear sallow (Lithophane fagina), Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana ministra), Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vau-album), Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.0 - 6.0 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Common in disturbed areas and poor soils
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: OpenAI GPT-4o