 |
 |
How to identify — Yellow birch can be easily identified by its shiny golden silver bark that peels in thin, horizontal strips. The leaves are very similar to those of white birch. However, the crushed twigs and buds of yellow birch have a distinct wintergreen smell that is absent in white birch. Habitat/Distribution — Yellow birch is found in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, from the St. Lawrence River valley to the Great Lakes region, and south down the Appalachians to the Great Smoky Mountains. It grows best on cool, moist loamy soils. It may be found on wetter soils but is uncommon in dry or sandy areas. It is generally found in hardwood forests on lower and middle slopes, where it is part of the dominant beech-birch-maple forest type of northern New England. In wetter areas it occurs in combination with softwoods such as red spruce and hemlock. In the White Mountains it is found up to an elevation of 3000' where it extends into the lower part of the spruce-fir zone. Ecology — Slower-growing and longer-lived than white birch, yellow birch is relatively tolerant of shade and will grow to maturity in small gaps in mature forests. It has an uncanny ability to sprout prop roots that sprawl across boulders and rooting logs, which gives it the ability to reproduce in areas where the soil itself is too wet. It is a prized lumber species and an important wildlife plant. Yellow birch can exceed 300 years of age and 36" in diameter. Because of its ability to survive despite extensive damage and rot, many old trees have large cavities that make excellent den sites. The buds, catkins and seeds of yellow birch are an important food for ruffed grouse and wintering birds such as chickadees and redpolls. Twigs and buds are browsed by deer and moose, and the cambium (inner bark) is consumed by hungry porcupines. Environmental Change Issues — Because of its preference for cool, moist conditions, yellow birch could be reduced across much of its current range under a warmer climate, especially if conditions become drier as well. |
||||||
 |
