| Mountain Paper Birch is very rare in North Carolina, found only on rocky slopes at high elevation in the Black Mountains. This medium-sized tree is similar to Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera), which does not occur in North Carolina or Virginia. Sometimes considered a variety, B. papyrifera Marshall var. cordifolia (Regel) Fernald, Mountain Paper Birch differs in having larger cordate (heart-shaped) leaves, mostly glabrous (smooth) twigs, and less white bark color. In North Carolina, the most similar species are Yellow Birch (B. alleghaniensis), which is very common at high elevations, and River Birch (B. nigra), which is found at low elevations along rivers and streams. Mt Mitchell State Park, Yancey Co., NC 9/13/08.
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| The leaves are mostly cordate with 9–12 pairs of lateral veins. B. papyrifera leaves have rounded, truncate, or cuneate bases and 9 or fewer lateral veins. Mt Mitchell State Park, Yancey Co., NC 9/13/08.
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| Mt Mitchell State Park, Yancey Co., NC 9/13/08.
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| Mt Mitchell State Park, Yancey Co., NC 9/13/08.
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| The fruits are in pendant catkins. Mt Mitchell State Park, Yancey Co., NC 9/13/08.
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| Bark of a medium-sized tree. The bark is pale grayish-brown and exfoliates in papery sheets on medium-sized stems. The strips are coppery-tan on the back. Mt Mitchell State Park, Yancey Co., NC 9/13/08.
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| Detail of the same tree. Mt Mitchell State Park, Yancey Co., NC 9/13/08.
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| Bark of the large tree shown in the top photo. Mt Mitchell State Park, Yancey Co., NC 9/13/08.
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| Bark of the same tree, lower down. Mt Mitchell State Park, Yancey Co., NC 9/13/08.
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| Bark of the same tree, near the base. The bark is multicolored, ranging from near white to pinkish to gray-brown. Mt Mitchell State Park, Yancey Co., NC 9/13/08.
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More information:
Flora of North America
Natural Resources Canada
Trees of Wisconsin
USDA PLANTS Database
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
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