Truely brilliant fall color. A moderate to fast-growing birch that prefers moist garden soil and some protection. You must be prepared to water because it does not tolerate drought (4 weeks of no rain). This birch is the most shade-tolerant of its family, needing only a few hours of sunlight. Should be planted in an area of the yard that is readily accessible so you can break off a twig. The broken twigs smell and taste like wintergreen. The pioneers would harvest 60 saplings (however big that was!) for one quart of wintergreen essence.

Environment:  Xeric  Dry/Mesic  Mesic  Wet/Mesic  Hydric

Exposure:  Shade  Part Shade  Morning Sun  Full Sun

Bloom Period:  Spring  Summer  Fall