Yellow birch 2-3'
Yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) is a long-lived, cold-hardy hardwood native to the northern forests of North America. Known for its distinctive golden-bronze bark that peels in fine curls, this tree adds year-round interest to naturalized landscapes and restoration sites. In spring, catkin flowers emerge before the leaves, offering early-season beauty and habitat value. By autumn, its foliage turns a brilliant yellow, lighting up woodland edges and streambanks.
This species thrives in cool, moist, well-drained soils and prefers partial shade to full sun. Mature trees reach 40 to 60 feet tall with a broad, rounded crown, making them ideal for larger properties or forest edge plantings. Yellow Birch is a keystone species for wildlife—its seeds feed songbirds and grouse, while its twigs and bark are browsed by deer, hare, and porcupine. The twigs carry a subtle wintergreen scent, a signature trait of this elegant northern native.