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Paper Birch

Betula paperifera

Sometimes known as canoe birch. This is the tree that allowed the Hudson Bay and Northwest Fur companies to cross a continent. The bark is fairly smooth, is waterproof, and can be stripped from the tree in massive sheets. (This kills the tree.)
In addition to canoe covering, natives used the wood for framing the canoe and for making snowshoe frames.

The bark in non-hybrid specimens is almost pure white, with dark horizontal ovals (lenticels) In a forest, the white bark seems almost luminous.

Leaves are diamond shaped, with toothed edges. For a few weeks in fall the leaves are a golden pure yellow.

Care: It's ok to take the surface loose layers of bark off the tree. Water like crazy. The roots run out a long way from the tree -- several times it's height. Best if grown where natural drainage moves water toward it.

I've been told that naturally birch only grow where there is an underground stream or seep, or a high water table. Not being a mole, I've not had an opportunity to check this out, but it fits my above ground observations.

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Paper Birch		Betula paperifera
Location	Potsize	Height	Count	Price
PA09	Stu2	48 - 72 in.	4	$24 - $36 ($6 per foot)
PB02	Stu2	48 - 72 in.	43	$24 - $36 ($6 per foot)
PB14	Stu2	48 - 60 in.	39	$24 - $30 ($6 per foot)
DLA	B10	60 - 72 in.	135	$40 - $48 ($8 per foot)