How to identify Sweet birch (Betula lenta)

How to identify Sweet birch (Betula lenta)

Sweet birch, also known as Cherry birch, Spice birch

Sweet birch is a deciduous tree with a pyramidal shape that matures into a rounded form, typically reaching heights of 60 to 70 feet (18 to 21 meters). Its foliage is noteworthy for its reliable golden yellow coloration. The leaves' texture and the distinct aroma resembling wintergreen, particularly when crushed, are characteristic features of sweet birch. The bark of sweet birch also exhibits this wintergreen scent when the inner layers are exposed.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Sweet birch

Golden-yellow foliage in fall

Wintergreen scent in leaves and bark

Ovate leaves with cordate base

Small nutlets with membranous wing

Red-tinted catkins in early spring

Detailed Traits of Sweet birch

Leaf Features

The leaves of sweet birch are 2.5 to 6 inches (6.35 to 15.24 cm) long, broad, and ovate with a cordate base. They feature single-toothed margins and an alternate, simple arrangement. The texture is smooth, with prominent veins running from the central midrib. In the fall, the leaves turn a striking golden-yellow color, making them easily noticeable. These features are crucial in identifying the plant, especially the leaf shape and autumnal coloration.

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Flower Features

Sweet birch has small, green flowers tinged with red, appearing in early spring. The males form 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) long catkins, which are elongated and cylindrical. These catkins hang in clusters, and their greenish-red hues enable them to blend well with the emerging leaves. The flowers do not have a noticeable scent, and their blooming period typically occurs before the full leafing out of the tree, making them an important early-season identifier.

Inflorescence Type

Ament/Catkin

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Fruit Features

The fruit of sweet birch develops as a small nutlet, which is a type of dry fruit that doesn't open to release its seed. Each nutlet is accompanied by a delicate, membranous wing. The fruit is produced in erect, oblong cones that measure approximately 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) in length. During the summer, these cones mature and disintegrate, allowing the release of the winged nutlets. The wing assists in the dispersal of the seed by wind, guiding it to potentially suitable growing locations.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Sweet birch and Their Similar Plants

Silver birch vs. Sweet birch: What's The Difference?

The silver birch is native to Europe, Siberia, and China. It can grow between 15 m and 25 m, with a potential to reach 31 m. Its distinct bark is white and eventually becomes flaky. The leaves are pale green during summer and yellow during fall.

River birch vs. Sweet birch: What's The Difference?

The river birch is a fast-growing tree that thrives in wet environments like floodplains, bottomland and along creeks and streams. It is a native of the Eastern United States. The river birch reaches heights from 15 to 27 m tall and grows an average of 91 cm per year.

Paper birch vs. Sweet birch: What's The Difference?

Paper birch (*Betula papyrifera*) is a tree with unique, papery white bark which is known to peel off the tree. It is also known as American white birch and canoe birch. This tree is relatively short-lived, and its wood is often used to make toothpicks, ice cream sticks, wooden bobbins, clothespins, and canoes.

Yellow Birch vs. Sweet birch: What's The Difference?

Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) is the largest of all North American birches and among the longest-lived of all the birches, sometimes living over 100 years. It really does have yellow bark, although sometimes it can be yellow-gray or bronze. The bark’s outer layers peel off in thin, curly strips. As the tree ages, the curls become more numerous and may become shredded.

Asian white birch vs. Sweet birch: What's The Difference?

A medium to large tree, asian white birch is a great choice for cottage gardens with its easy maintenance and pretty white bark. Its bright green leaves turn yellow in the fall and the tree grows small flowers.

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Key Facts About Sweet birch

Attributes of Sweet birch

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree

Plant Height

18 m to 21 m

Spread

11 m to 14 m

Leaf Color

Green

Yellow

Flower Size

2.5 cm to 8 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

Red

Brown

Green

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Scientific Classification of Sweet birch

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Beeches, walnuts, and allied trees

Family

Birch

Genus

Betula

Species

Sweet birch (Betula lenta)

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Distribution Map of Sweet birch

Sweet birch is primarily native to the temperate regions of North America, where it thrives in deciduous forests. This species has been introduced and continues to grow in other temperate parts of the Northern Hemisphere, specifically in major regions of Europe.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Sweet birch How to Grow and Care for Sweet birch