Betula lenta, Black Birch



Size: tree, 40-70' average height at maturity, 35-40' spread

Buds: conical, imbricate, sharp-pointed, reddish brown

Leaves: deciduous, alternate, 2.5-6" long, 1.5-3.5" wide, simple, ovate or long-ovate, acuminate tips, serrated margins, shiny dark green above, golden yellow in fall

Twigs: shiny, light reddish brown, strong wintergreen fragrance, many short lateral shoots

Flowers: monoecious, pendulous male catkins 3-4" long when flowering, female flowers .5-1", upright, bloom in spring before leaves appear

Fruit: winged nutlets, .75-1.33", in strobile (cone-like structure)

Bark: reddish brown to blackish on young trees, conspicuous horizontal lenticels, brownish black in large scaly plates with age