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Water Birch (Betula occidentalis)

Water Birch (Betula Occidentalis) https://www.sagebud.com/water-birch-betula-occidentalis
Credit: Robert H. Mohlenbrock | USDA NRCS Plants Profile: Betula occidental... | License: PD USDA NRCS
BEOC2.jpg

Betula Occidentalis, or more commonly know as Water Birch, is a tree shrub with green foliage and yellow flowers of the genus Betula. It has a rapid growth rate and a height of 50 feet at maturity. Its duration is perennial which means it will grow year after year. It's active growth period is spring and summer, blooms during mid spring and is somewhat tolerant of shade. Betula Occidentalis or Water Birch's floral region is North America US Lower 48 and Alaska, specifically in the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

  • Category: Dicot
  • Genus: Betula
  • Family: Betulaceae
  • Order: Fagales
  • Class: Magnoliopsida
  • Division: Magnoliophyta
  • Duration: Perennial
  • Growth Habit: Tree Shrub
  • Native Status: L48 (N) AK (N) CAN (N)
  • National Wetland Indicator Status: FAC FACW
  • Regional Wetland Indicator Status: 4(FACW) 5(FACW) 7(FACW) 8(FACW) 9(FACW) 0(FACW) A(FAC)
  • Active Growth Period: Spring and Summer
  • Allelopath: No
  • C:N Ratio: Medium
  • Coppice Potential: No
  • Fall Conspicuous: No
  • Fire Resistance: No
  • Flower Color: Yellow
  • Flower Conspicuous: No
  • Foliage Color: Green
  • Foliage Porosity Summer: Moderate
  • Foliage Porosity Winter: Porous
  • Foliage Texture: Medium
  • Fruit/Seed Color: Brown
  • Fruit/Seed Conspicuous: No
  • Growth Form: Single Stem
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Height at 20 Years Maximum (feet): 40
  • Height Mature (feet): 50
  • Leaf Retention: No
  • Lifespan: Short
  • Low Growing Grass: No
  • Resprout Ability: Yes
  • Shape and Orientation: Erect
  • Toxicity: None
  • Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils: Yes
  • Adapted to Fine Textured Soils: Yes
  • Adapted to Medium Textured Soils: Yes
  • Anaerobic Tolerance: Low
  • CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
  • Cold Stratification Required: No
  • Drought Tolerance: Low
  • Fertility Requirement: Medium
  • Fire Tolerance: High
  • Frost Free Days Minimum: 140
  • Hedge Tolerance: None
  • Moisture Use: High
  • pH (Minimum): 5.5
  • pH (Maximum): 7
  • Planting Density per Acre Minimum: 300
  • Planting Density per Acre Maximum: 700
  • Precipitation (Minimum): 16
  • Precipitation (Maximum): 50
  • Root Depth Minimum (inches): 20
  • Salinity Tolerance: None
  • Shade Tolerance: Intermediate
  • Temperature Minimum (°F): -28
  • Bloom Period: Mid Spring
  • Commercial Availability: Routinely Available
  • Fruit/Seed Abundance: Medium
  • Fruit/Seed Period Begin: Spring
  • Fruit/Seed Period End: Spring
  • Fruit/Seed Persistence: No
  • Propagated by Bare Root: Yes
  • Propagated by Bulbs: No
  • Propagated by Container: Yes
  • Propagated by Corms: No
  • Propagated by Cuttings: No
  • Propagated by Seed: Yes
  • Propagated by Sod: No
  • Propagated by Sprigs: No
  • Propagated by Tubers: No
  • Seed per Pound: 402000
  • Seed Spread Rate: Slow
  • Seedling Vigor: Medium
  • Small Grain: No
  • Vegetative Spread Rate: None