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PAPER BIRCH (Betula papyrifera)
YELLOW BIRCH (Betula alleghaniensis)
Other names: canoe birch, white birch, silver birch;
gray birch, swamp birch, birch.

FAIR

Paper birch is found throughout the Great Lakes region, and extreme northern portion of the adjacent states. It is one of
the most common trees in interior Alaska. Yellow birch is a tree of the Great Lakes region and northeastern states. Both are considered short lived trees. Paper birch may reach 140 years of age and yellow birch up to 200 years. Both are rapid growing with a thin, "papery", bark, and reach 12" to 24" in diameter. Though the wood is hard it decays very rapidly when dead. The stumps decay to a mulch and leave little or no stump hole, though portions of the bark often remain. Both trees stool into clumps. The yellow birch often takes root in old hemlock stumps, forming a raised root system, similar in type to the western hemlock. Yellow birch is the more durable of the two. If windthrown there is usually a fair sized stump hole remaining. 

The original bearing trees of these species are sometimes found. If still standing the blaze is badly decayed with little or no trace or scribe marks. In ideal site conditions the trees have been found alive but mature and in poor condition. Do not discount the possibility of finding an original birch because they have been recovered. Careful examination and search would be a must. Matching rotted stumps and clumps of birches could payoff with a recovered corner. 

If using these birches select young trees, blaze very carefully to avoid separating the bark at the edges (they peel easily). Blaze to firm wood, use a sharp scribe and paint thoroughly. If a tree less than 6" is taken use bark scribing but the scribing would have to be deep into the bark and carefully done to avoid tearing. Larger than normal letters would probably be best.