Species sweet birch
Green leaves with yellow petiole, brown stems, yellow midrib and veins.

sweet birch

Betula lenta

Also Known As - sweet birch,black birch,black birch,Sweet Birch,Black Birch,Mountain Mahogany
Sweet Birch (Betula lenta) is an amazing species of trees for its versatility. With beautiful shades of yellow and white, its bark is particularly striking. Sweet birch has a hard, rot-resistant heartwood, making it an excellent choice for timber. Its flexibility also makes it a great choice for living fences, for example. The edible sap is good for both humans and wildlife. Sweet Birch is also a great source of Vitamin C and a popular flavoring for beverages and candy, as well as being a traditional medicinal remedy. In short, Sweet Birch has so many uses and qualities, it's no wonder why it's so amazing.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation,Root Division

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Green to pale yellow catkins Flowers

Sun:

Sun, Partial Shade

Soil:

Loam, Humus Enriched

Fruits:

brown Fruits In Spring Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Sweet birch should be watered regularly and thoroughly. Depending on the size of the plant, it should be watered between 2-4 times a week. Make sure the soil stays evenly moist--not too wet and not too dry. Water the plant at the base and wait until the water has drained out of the bottom of the pot before watering again. During the spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing, pay special attention to soil moisture. During fall and winter, water less and wait for the soil to dry out before watering again.

sunlight

Sweet birch (Betula lenta) prefers full to partial sun. While it may tolerate some shade, it will not thrive without adequate sunlight. In areas with full sun, the sweet birch may receive 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If the tree is in partial sun, it should receive a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. Remember to take into account shadows created by other trees or structures that can block the sunlight. Sweet Birch is best suited for planting in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 and will thrive in areas with plenty of natural sunlight.

pruning

Sweet birch should be pruned in late winter or early spring, just before the tree's buds begin to swell. Prune the tree to remove its dead, diseased, or damaged branches, as well as any crossing branches that are rubbing against each other or that hamper desired growth. Also remove any branches tat are too close to buildings or other structures. When pruning young birch trees, leave as many lateral buds as possible in order to promote bushier growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Betula lenta (sweet birch) typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Sweet birch typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Betula lenta (sweet birch) typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map