Fall Foliage of River Birch Trees
The river birch (Betula nigra) can be grown in zones 4-9 to provide the landscape with fall foliage. A native of the eastern U.S., river birch trees will reach a height of 40’-70’ with a spread of 25’-35’. River birches are full-sun trees that will tolerate partial shade. This tree’s exfoliating bark is as attractive as its fall foliage. As you can see from the picture, river birch trees shed their bark, as do the paper birches (see below), but their bark does not possess the white color of paper birch trees. Fall foliage color is yellow. River birch trees tolerate the summer heat better than paper birch trees.
Fall Foliage of Paper Birch Trees
Another birch tree grown as much for its exfoliating bark as for its fall foliage is the paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Its fall foliage color is yellow. The chalky bark, or “paper” is more striking than that of the river birch trees, sometimes attaining to almost a pure white. The bark of this tree is, of course, famous for another reason, too: namely, as the material for birch-bark canoes. The fall foliage of paper birch trees is similar to that of gray birch trees (Betula populifolia Marsh.), as you can see in the photo gallery (above, right). But gray birch trees grow in clumps and their bark is not especially attractive.Grow this tree if you live in Canada or in the northern tier of U.S. states (zones 2-6). Paper birches are native to this region, and prefer its cool temperatures. Height and spread similar to that of river birch trees. Plant in full sun to partial shade.
Fall Foliage of Weeping Birch Trees
Another “white” birch is Young’s weeping birch (Betula pendula ‘Youngii’), a 6’-12’ dwarf variety that can be grown in zones 3-9. In addition to its white bark and yellow fall foliage, the form of this tree provides landscaping interest. As suggested by its name, the branches of this birch tree droop, or “weep” down towards the ground. Plant in full sun to partial shade.
Fall Foliage of Yellow Birch Trees
Another of the attractive non-white birch trees is the yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis). A 60’-80’ tall tree (spread of about 30’) with yellow fall foliage, yellow birch trees derive their common name not from their foliage, but from their exfoliating bark, which sheds like that of the paper and river birch trees mentioned above. Speaking more accurately, I would describe the bark as golden. Yellow birches should be grown in full sun to partial shade, in zones 4-7.
More on Trees With Colorful Fall Foliage
Fall Foliage of Ash Trees, Quaking
Fall Foliage of Aspen Trees, Quaking
Fall Foliage of Beech Trees
Fall Foliage of Dogwood Trees
Fall Foliage of Japanese Maple Trees
Fall Foliage of Maple Trees
Fall Foliage of Oak Trees
Fall Foliage of Shagbark Hickory Trees
Fall Foliage of Sweetgum Trees
Fall Foliage of Sumac Trees
Fall Foliage of Ginkgo Biloba Trees
Fall Foliage of Tulip Trees
