Betula, Paper Birch 'Prairie Dream®' (Large)

Prairie Dream® Paper Birch | Betula papyrifera 'Varen'

Height:  40 feet

Spread:  30 feet

Sunlight: full sun to partial shade

Hardiness Zone:  2a

Other Names:  White Birch, Canoe Birch

Description:

A selection of paper birch with snow-white peeling bark and gold fall color; more adaptable and stress-tolerant than the species, less susceptible to birch borer attack; a great accent tree, and one of the best for winter value

Ornamental Features

Prairie Dream® Paper Birch has dark green deciduous foliage on a tree with an oval habit of growth. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. The peeling white bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Prairie Dream® Paper Birch is a deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a high maintenance tree that will require regular care and upkeep, and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have fully developed, as it may 'bleed' sap if pruned in late winter or early spring. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Prairie Dream® Paper Birch is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

Prairie Dream® Paper Birch will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.