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Fothergilla gardenii Witch Alder
Fothergilla gardenii (Witch Alder). Photo © Mary Free
You are here: Home / Plants / Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic / Trees / Betula lenta (Sweet or Black or Cherry Birch)

Betula lenta (Sweet or Black or Cherry Birch)

A small Betula lenta (Sweet or Black or Cherry Birch) tree in April at Longwood Gardens.
Betula lenta (Sweet or Black or Cherry Birch) in June at the Charlotte Botanical Garden.
Betula lenta (Sweet or Black or Cherry Birch) bark in June.
Pinnate venation of Betula lenta (Sweet or Black or Cherry Birch) leaves in August.
A small Betula lenta tree in October at Longwood Gardens.

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Sweet Birch finds a home* on the cool north and east slopes of mountain woods. It shows off in fall with its golden-yellow color–among the best of the birches–and in winter with the sheen of its young bark. Its fragrant foliage and twigs were historically a source of wintergreen flavoring. Tree Trees (Bare and Leafing Out), Bark, Leaves Height: 40–75 feet Spread: 35–50 feet Bloom Color: Yellow green Characteristics Medium-sized deciduous tree with rounded crown of spreading branches Alternate, simple, sharply-serrated, green leaves Male flowers: 2–3 inch long catkins, in groups of 4 Female flowers: 1⁄2–1 inch upright catkins; fruit: cone-like cluster of samaras with two lateral wings Excellent fall color of golden yellow Young reddish-brown bark with distinct horizontal lenticels ages from gray to black with scaly plates Attributes Tolerates dry sites (but prefers moist ones), rocky soils, heavy soils; intolerant of shade; can be stressed by excessive heat and humidity Resistant to bronze birch borer; susceptible to nectria canker; deer rarely damage Like sugar maples, trees can be tapped for the sap, which is fermented into birch beer Attracts a variety of birds and small mammal High wildlife value Soil Requirements: Rich, acidic soil Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Prune in summer after sap stops flowing Use as a shade tree for large sites Excellent Replacement for Betula pendula - European White Birch *It is not reported in DC. It is common in DE. It is scattered throughout PA. In VA, it is common in the mountains, infrequent in the Piedmont, and rare in the Coastal Plain. It is native in NoVA except in Prince William County. Hardiness: USDA Zones 3-8 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Mary Free, Connecticut College Arboretum and by Robert M. Kline and Elaine Mills (leaves), Longwood Gardens

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Betula lenta (Sweet or Black or Cherry Birch)

Sweet Birch finds a home* on the cool north and east slopes of mountain woods. It shows off in fall with its golden-yellow color–among the best of the birches–and in winter with the sheen of its young bark. Its fragrant foliage and twigs were historically a source of wintergreen flavoring.

*It is not reported in DC. It is common in DE. It is scattered throughout PA. In VA, it is common in the mountains, infrequent in the Piedmont, and rare in the Coastal Plain. It is native in NoVA except in Prince William County.

Video © Mary Free

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets