Platanus racemose, aka the ‘California Sycamore’, brings that white bark goodness that you want, and grows in just a little bit shorter than both Aspen and Birch. While smaller, it’s more heat-resistant, and will do well in hardiness zones ranging from 7 to 10.
Quaking Aspen
Because of their vegetative reproduction, aspens are in no danger of going extinct. Aspen forests will eventually become spruce and fir forests as the taller, more dense trees shade out the aspen underneath the canopy. However, even after 100 years or more, the dormant root system will spring back to life sprouting new trees once sunlight is allowed to reach the forest floor again. Therefore, forest fires, no matter how severe, encourage the growth of new aspen trunks in the asexual process also known as “root suckering.”
Aspens are so successful that curious foresters have tried everything in an effort to determine what it takes to kill an aspen clone. The only sure method is injecting tons of herbicides directly into the root system. Even “discing” (a huge roto-tiller pulled by bulldozers) down to three feet below the soil will not kill an aspen clone. The chopped up roots keep right on growing. Heavy browsing by deer and elk is hypothesized to be detrimental to aspens, but in reality, only kills individual trees. Individual trunks invariably become afflicted with disease after 100 years or more, but the root systems are apparently immune. The only natural force that appears to limit growth of aspen are pocket gophers, which in abundance, can chew aspen root systems back faster than they can grow.
When and where to see at Bryce
The above-ground portions of Quaking Aspens are few and far between at Bryce Canyon National Park. Historic photographs show that these kinds of forest used to be much more common. The aggressive suppression of forest fires, (natural or otherwise) has allowed spruce and fir forests to overshadow the once common aspen groves. Using prescribed fires to burn away key portions of the spruce and fir forests will allow aspen to quickly return to their former glory as a keystone species that assures the survival of many other kinds of plants and animals. Look for little pockets of aspen along the scenic drive at the southern end of the park and also tucked underneath the canyon rim between Sunset and Sunrise Points.
Buchanan, Hayle 1992. Wildflowers of Southwestern Utah. Bryce Canyon Natural History Association. Bryce Canyon, Utah
Lanner, Ron. & Rasmuss, Christine. 1988. Trees of the Great Basin: a Natural History. University of Nevada Press
Little, Elbert L. 2001 National Audubon Society Field Guide to Trees – Western Region. Random House Inc. New York, NY
Stuckey, Martha & Palmer, George. 1998. Western Trees: A Field Guide. Falcon Publishing, Inc. Helena, MT
Bottom Line Up Front
Quaking aspens grow more quickly, but they propagate quickly so they’ll need a little extra maintenance. They do, however, provide a little mountain ambience for those who wax nostalgic for the aspens in their memories.
If you are just looking for shade, beautiful bark, and a little heat resistance in the bargain, though, then you really can’t beat River Birch. They’ll spring up almost as quickly and you won’t have as much maintenance to keep track of – always a plus when you’ve got a ‘full plate’ with your gardening choices!
Table of Contents
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While we will take a more thorough look at both Birch and Aspen trees in the sections to follow, we’re going to start off with the most pronounced differences between each tree. Contrast is a great way to learn, after all, so let’s look at the main differences between Birch and Aspen trees so that you can use this as a foundation to build on.
The main differences between these two trees are as follows:
A cultivated Birch (Betula) typically grows up to 70 feet tall, with a spread approximately 35 feet wide, while Aspen trees (Populus Tremuloides) grow 40 – 50 feet tall with a 20 – 30 foot spread.
While both trees will have whitish bark and horizontal scarring, Aspen tree bark will have a greenish cast, as well as eye-shaped scarring at pronounced intervals as you look across it.
Birch trees have an average lifespan of around 60 to 90 years, while Aspens will typically live for 100 to 120 years.
Birch tree leaves tend to be elliptical or oval-shaped, while Aspen leaves are rather heart-shaped.
Birch Trees will grow 1.5 to 2 feet annually and Aspen, by contrast, typically grows 2 – 3 feet every year!
Aspen wood is lightweight and well-suited for building furniture, crates, and pulp for cardboard and paper applications. Birch is great for indoor work and veneers and it’s fairly waterproof, making it an excellent choice for building canoes.
Key Features: Birch
Now that we’ve gone into contrasts, we’re going to take a more thorough look at the Birch and the Aspen so that we can paint a more complete picture. Keep in mind that you’ll see some repeats from the differences, so that each individual tree profile section will be complete on its own. As there are 40 species of Birch, we’re going to give you the key aspects of River Birch (Betula) to keep things simple:
Birch leaves are elliptical or oval-shaped, approximately 1.5 to 3.5 inches long, and around 2.5 inches wide.
Birch bark is typically reddish-brown when young, with outer layers peeling off, and it may mature to an orange-brown or become more of a silver or whitish-gray and orange color as the tree matures.
River birch will have male and female catkins both visible on trees. They have a red-rust to purple coloration and the female buds will be shorter and stiffer than the male.
Birch is relatively fast growing, with a typical growth rate of 1.5 to 2 feet annually.
Fully grown, a Birch may be up to 70 feet tall with a 35 foot spread (on average).
The trees have a lifespan of approximately 60 to 90 years.
Aerated, slightly acidic, and well-draining soil is the preferred soil medium for Birch trees.
Pros
River birch is highly attractive for wildlife. Numerous birds, including waterfowl, may use it for shelter or snacking, and even deer seem to like these trees and may investigate the leaves.
River birch’s rooting system spreads out in an appreciable density in the soil, affixing the tree firmly in place and helping to prevent soil erosion in the process.
This species of birch is more disease-resistant than other birches and while birch borers are a risk, this is usually only when the tree is in a weakened state from insufficient water and excessive heat.
River birch is the most heat-resistant birch species, so much so that you’ll find it in the wild in many southern states.
Flood resistance helps to give this tree its name – River birch is sometimes found growing in sandbars and is more tolerant of damp soils than most other birch species.
For DIY types, this relatively fast-growing tree is an excellent source for plywood or veneer grade wood for your projects.
Cons
Not all of the wildlife you’ll attract with this birch is desirable. Sapsuckers, for instance, may be attracted to your River birches, although you can wrap the trees before they arrive to good effect. Walking sticks and Spiny Elm caterpillars are also a potential risk to the leaves.
River birch needs full sunlight – it won’t grow well in the shade.
These trees ‘shed’ a lot, especially when it gets very warm. Aside from twigs and bark peelings, it will also shed catkins in the spring, so you may need to put in some extra effort to keep things neat around your tree.
This tree is very sensitive about pH levels in the soil – if it’s not very acidic, then you’ll get yellowing leaves, but if it’s too acidic then there is a risk for Iron Chlorosis.
