Red Birch, Water Birch (Betula occidentalis), Pacific northwest native tree

Betula occidentalis (Red Birch, Water Birch)

Kingdom	:	Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom	:	Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision	:	Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division	:	Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class	:	Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass	:	Hamamelididae
Order	:	Fagales
Family	:	Betulaceae – Birch family
Genus	:	Betula L. – birch
Species	:	Betula occidentalis Hook. – water birch

Similar to Paper Birch, the Red Birch occurs in the eastern ranges of the Pacific northwest, east to Minnesota and south into New Mexico and California.

This cold-hardy birch grows at high elevations and can survive in USDA zones 5-10.

It favors moist but not waterlogged soils along mountain streams where it is browsed by Bighorn sheep.

This tree forms clumps and often reaches 30.’

The coppery-brown bark is highlighted by the deep green leaves and by the brilliant autumn color.

Photo, left, credit: Stan Shebs; Photo, center, credit: Stan Shebs; Photo, right, credit: Daderot

Photo, left, credit: Sally and Andy Wasowski, Theodore Payne Foundation; Photo, center, credit: Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service; Photo, right, credit: Stan Shebs

Photo, center, credit: Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service

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