“White birch” usually means one of a few birches with chalky white bark. In North America it most often refers to paper birch (Betula papyrifera), which the USDA Forest Service notes is also called white birch, canoe birch or silver birch. The Morton Arboretum lists its mature size as 50 to 70 feet tall and 19 to 45 feet wide. European white birch is smaller, at 40 to 50 feet, and gray birch smaller still.
The short answer: paper birch, the main North American white birch, grows 50 to 70 feet tall and 19 to 45 feet wide at a fast rate (The Morton Arboretum). European white birch reaches 40 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 35 feet wide, and gray birch 20 to 40 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide. Paper birch is short-lived for its size and rarely lives more than 140 years (USDA Forest Service).
White birch sizes compared
| Birch | Height | Width | Growth rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) | 50 to 70 ft | 19 to 45 ft | Fast |
| European white birch (B. pendula) | 40 to 50 ft | 20 to 35 ft | Moderate |
| Gray birch (B. populifolia) | 20 to 40 ft | 10 to 20 ft | Moderate |
| River birch (B. nigra), for comparison | 30 to 40 ft | 20 to 30 ft | Fast |
All figures are from The Morton Arboretum’s tree profiles. River birch does not have white bark, but it is often planted in place of white birches, so it is included for reference.
Paper birch: the largest white birch
Paper birch is the tallest of the common white birches. The Morton Arboretum rates its growth as fast, and its relatively narrow crown, 19 to 45 feet wide, means it takes up less ground than its height suggests. The Royal Horticultural Society notes that birches can also be grown as multi-stemmed trees to show off the bark.
It is a tree of cold climates. The Forest Service describes paper birch as a northern species that seldom grows naturally where average July temperatures exceed about 70°F. The Morton Arboretum lists it for hardiness zones 2 through 7 and notes that it “is not a good tree for tough sites.” In warmer or harsher locations, expect a smaller, shorter-lived tree than the figures above.
European white birch: smaller and more problematic
European white birch, sometimes sold as silver birch, matures at 40 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 35 feet wide, according to The Morton Arboretum. It was once widely planted, but the Arboretum says it is very susceptible to bronze birch borer and “is not recommended for planting anywhere in the Midwest.” Many specimens decline and need removal long before reaching full size.
Gray birch: the compact option
Gray birch is a narrow, pyramidal tree of 20 to 40 feet. The Morton Arboretum notes that older trees develop chalky white bark that does not peel, that it suits poor soils and difficult sites, and that it shows some resistance to bronze birch borer. For a smaller yard that wants white bark, it is a practical choice.
How long white birches live
Size and lifespan are linked. The Forest Service says paper birch is short-lived and rarely lives more than 140 years. Given the Arboretum’s warning that paper birch does poorly on tough sites, and the Forest Service’s note that it is adapted to cold climates, the trees most likely to reach full size and age are those in cool, moist locations.
Recommended Products
Beautiful White Paper Bark: Mature Betula papyrifera trees develop distinctive white bark with dark markings and thin curling papery layers. Young trees begin with brown or golden bark, and the classic white trunk appearance develops gradually as the tree ages.
Easy to Use: simply pour the tree whitewash into the tin, add water to blend and stir (1: 1 ratio with water and powder, can add water according to the thickness you need), and brush smoothly to the tree trunk, ensure a simple care
Planning space for a white birch
Use the mature width to set spacing:
- Plant paper birch at least 20 to 25 feet from buildings, allowing for half its potential spread.
- Allow more room for multi-stemmed trees, which spread wider at the base.
- Keep it clear of overhead lines, since even gray birch can pass 30 feet.
Recommended Products
LASTING COLOR: Miracle-Gro Tree & Shrub Plant Food Spikes are fertilizer spikes for trees and shrubs; they promote vibrant color and foliage for trees and shrubs in your yard
Package contains 9 tree and shrub fertilizer spikes and are produced to avoid wasteful runoff, mess, hazards and smells
FORMULATED FOR CITRUS AND FRUIT TREES: Use these citrus fertilizer spikes on apple, orange, lemon, lime, and avocado trees; this formula is also great for feeding palm trees
Getting a white birch to full size
The RHS says birches grow in sun or partial shade and in most soils, but they should not be planted in waterlogged ground, and it recommends a mulch layer at least 2 inches (5 cm) thick over the root area. The Morton Arboretum’s paper birch profile adds that chlorosis (yellowing) may occur in high-pH soils, so check soil pH before planting.
Choosing a borer-resistant species matters too. The Arboretum notes that paper birch and gray birch show some resistance to bronze birch borer, and river birch is resistant. European white birch is not.
Related birch guides
To compare the full range of birch species, see how many types of birch trees there are.
The bottom line
Paper birch, the classic white birch, grows 50 to 70 feet tall and up to about 45 feet wide, and it gets there fast in a cool climate. European white birch tops out at 40 to 50 feet and gray birch at 20 to 40 feet. In warm or stressful sites, expect any of them to stay smaller and live shorter lives.
Sources
- Paper Birch, The Morton Arboretum
- European White Birch, The Morton Arboretum
- Gray Birch, The Morton Arboretum
- River Birch, The Morton Arboretum
- How to grow birch, Royal Horticultural Society
- Paper Birch, Silvics of North America, USDA Forest Service
Top photo: Wing-Chi Poon, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons