Gray Birch

Betulaceae

LIFE FORM: Tree

NATIVITY: Eastern North America

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

20 to 30 feet tall; triangular leaves turn yellow in autumn; prominent horizontal black markings on white bark; pioneer species.

FLOWERS:

Inconspicuous.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Seeds are dispersed by the wind; typically sprouts from the base to form a clump.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Tolerant of poor soil and drought. Prefers woodlands that develop on abandoned open space; rock outcrops and stone walls; railroad tracks with ballast substrate.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Salt tolerance along roadways;drought tolerance on compacted soils; erosion control on slopes; stream and river bank stabilization.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

This species is an indicator of poor soil.