Alaska Paper Birch (Betula Neoalaskana)

Alaska Paper Birch at Ontario Science Centre, Toronto

Source: Dave’s Garden

Alternative Names

Latin (scientific) name: Betula neoalaskana

Common English name: Alaska paper birch

Other names: Alaska white birch, Alaska birch

French name: Bouleau d’Alaska

Other Information

Tree Type: Deciduous

Native To: Western North America

Habitat: Very wet sites with poor drainage

Hardiness Zones: 0a, 0b, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b

Description

The Alaska Paper Birch is a small tree with many stems reaching up to 15 meters tall. It is confined to the Northeastern portion of British Columbia and the Northern border of the Yukon Territories; however, is prominent from Northwestern Ontario across to Western Alaska.

Alaska Paper Birch can be seen mixed with other species, especially black spruce. It is often confused with White Birch but can be distinguished by the bumpy resin glands on its twigs.

The leaves are 4-7 cm long, triangular with oval bases and a sharp point. They have toothed edges and 4-5 veins on each side, also ending in a tooth.

Alaska Paper Birch has pollen catkins which are 1-2 cm during seeding season and 2.5-4 cm during pollination.

Its bark is thin, smooth and dark red-brown when young, listening to a creamy white or slight pink with age. It peels off in papery layers.

Sources: Tree Canada and Tree Bee