40-80' × 35-45' Also called Black Birch or Cherry Birch. Graceful horizontal branches on a medium-sized tree with a rounded irregular wide-spreading crown. Glistening smooth reddish-brown to black bark forms scaly plates on mature trees. Lustrous dark green foliage turns splendid golden-yellow in fall. The best birch for birch beer, brewed from its copious sap. One of the main sources of oil of wintergreen. Chew the dormant twigs, or brew a delicious tea from twigs and leaves. Also valued as beautiful furniture wood. Pendulous 3–4" catkins dangle from the shiny bronze branches in spring.
Prefers deep rich moist slightly acid well-drained soils, but adapts to most conditions except heavy clay. Sun to part shade. Native to eastern U.S. Zone 3.
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