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Paper birch
Habit (mature) · Plant Image Library / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
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Paper birch
Betula papyrifera
A northern native deciduous tree producing iconic white peeling-paper bark — among the most recognizable + photogenic of any temperate tree. Native to northern + boreal forests; declines in southern landscapes due to heat stress + bronze birch borer pressure. Short-lived (40-70 years) compared to most native canopy trees but provides outsized visual + wildlife value during that window.
Native: 22 US states + 7 CA provinces
Review: Source-backed
Climate fit: moderate (67/100)
Focal point
Structure
Light
Full sun / Part shade
Water
Consistent moisture
Mature size
600-840" tall · 360" apart
Hardy in zones
2a-7a
brutally cold to cold winters
Summer heat range
Cool-Mild
cool to mild summers Interim Plotwright tier until the plant AHS range is authored.
Native in Illinois
Yes
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A documented larval host for the Cecropia moth and 3 other species — caterpillars feed on its foliage before becoming the next generation.
Wildlife relationships
Cold hardiness
Now
Zone 6b
USDA
Chicago, IL · 1991-2020 average annual coldest day
Source: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (1991-2020 climatology) via ArcGIS FeatureServer
Well-suited
2050
Zone 7b
Plotwright
Your zone + climate-model shift · SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry)
Won't grow here
In plain terms: cold winters — coldest nights typically around -3°F.
✓→✕
Well-suited today, but likely out of range by 2050.
Heat tolerance
Loading current AHS heat-zone and plant heat-fit data at your coordinates…
Sources & citations
Cite this page
For lesson plans, articles, or research that uses this page. To cite a single upstream fact instead, use its specific source listed below.
Plotwright. (2026, May 17). Paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Retrieved 2026, June 5, from https://plotwright.garden/plants/paper-birch
Sources for every fact
Every fact on this page traces to a source. 18 fields cited18 source-backed.
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
University extension service
Backs 17 fields
Identity
Summary
Plant type
Light
Moisture
Hardiness
Heat zone
Size
Spacing
Habit
Design roles
Seasonal interest
Growth stages
Lifecycle
Regional guidance
Success tips
Designer notes
Wikimedia Commons
Photo · CC BY-SA 2.0
Backs 1 field
Image
Community photos
The photos above are our reviewed reference set, curated for accuracy.
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