Yellow birch
Betula alleghaniensis

Family: Betulaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 25 m tall. The trunk is 60 cm across. The bark is yellow-brown and peels off across the trunk. The leaves are oval and 8-11 cm long. The tip is slender and sharp. There are indents or teeth along the edge. They are yellowish green above and lighter underneath. The male or pollen flowers are in catkins 10 cm long and droop. The female or seed catkins are 1.5-2 cm long and erect. The fruit occur in cone-like catkins.

There are about 60 Betula species. They grow in cool north temperate climates. Wintergreen (methyl salicylate) is extracted from this one.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to North America. It grows in rich moist soil. It is moderately shade tolerant. It will grow in clay soils. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, North America (country/location of origin), Slovenia, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The sweet sap can be used for a drink. It can also be boiled down to syrup. The dried leaves are used as a substitute for tea. The leaves and twigs with the flavour of wintergreen are used as a condiment.

Edible parts

Sap, leaves - spice, leaves - tea, bark

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings.

It is a slow growing tree. Trees live for 150 years.

Its other names

Local names

Rumena breza

Synonyms

Betula lutea Michx.f.;