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Due to susceptibility to bronze birch borer (BBB), moor birch is not recommended for planting anywhere in this region and usually requires removal and/or replacement. Moor birch has a narrow habit and gray-white bark.

  • Family (English) Birch
  • Family (botanic) Betulaceae
  • Tree or plant type Tree
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Small tree (15-25 feet), Medium tree (25-40 feet)
  • Mature height 20-40 feet
  • Mature width 20-30 feet
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
  • Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Wet sites
  • Season of interest early fall, mid fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
  • Shape or form Oval, Pyramidal
  • Growth rate Fast
  • Wildlife Game birds, Insect pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds
  • Has cultivars Yes

Disease, pests, and problems:

Moor birch is very susceptible to bronze birch borer.

Native geographic location and habitat:

Native to Europe and Asia.

Bark color and texture:

Bark is fairly smooth and white.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

Simple, alternate leaves are 1 to 3 inches long, dark green, and rhomboid in shape. Leaf margins are double serrated. Fall color is yellow to yellow-green.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Inconspicuous male flowers form in cylindrical catkins. Females also in a cylindrical structure, but much smaller.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

Cylindrical clusters of winged nutlets.

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