Dwarf Birch Bog Birch

Dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa, Betulaceae) is a shrubby broadleaf species native to North America and Greenland, typically reaching about 10 feet tall. It develops dark brown bark and small, rounded to broadly elliptic leathery leaves (2 to 4 centimeters) with crenate to serrate margins and gland dots on both surfaces. Flowers appear from May to June. The species occurs naturally along streambanks, marsh margins, bogs, and alpine slopes.

Dwarf birch grows in sun to part shade on moist soils across a broad pH range of 4.5 to 8.5, hardy in Zones 3a to 8b. It tolerates clay soil, wet soil, shallow rocky soil, and erosion-prone sites. Maintenance needs are low and it attracts birds. Documented disease associations include rust, canker, and wood decay. Pest associations include bronze birch borer, birch leafminer, aphids, oystershell scale, carpenterworm, fall webworm, sawfly, and tent caterpillar. No cultivars are documented in the trade.