Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)

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Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)

Yellow Birch is a common medium-sized tree of medium to high elevations in the Mountains of North Carolina.

Haywood Co., NC 5/9/08.

Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) leaves

The leaves are very similar to those of Black Birch (B. lenta) and have the same strong wintergreen scent when crushed.

Clay Co., NC 5/13/06.

Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) bark

The yellowish, exfoliating bark is by far the easiest way to identify Yellow Birch. Black Birch has tight dark reddish-brown bark with horizontally elongated lenticels.

Clay Co., NC 5/13/06.

Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) bark

Bark of a larger tree.

Clay Co., NC 5/20/07.

Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) bark

Bark of a medium-sized tree.

Haywood Co., NC 5/9/08.

More information:
Silvics Manual
Trees of Wisconsin
Virginia Tech Dendrology

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.