Gray Birch

Betula populifolia

Betulaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced

Last updated May 27, 2026

Plant Profile

Size & Form

Height

40 ft

Spread

10-20 ft

Growth Rate

Fast

Size at 20 yr

25 ft

Lifespan

Short-lived

Site Requirements

Light

Sun to Part Shade

Soil Drainage

Adaptable

Soil pH

3.5-6.5

Water

Low

Drought Tolerance

Medium

Hardiness

Zones 3a–8b

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time

April

Fall Color

Yellow

Origin

northeastern North America, its natural range is from Nova

RustHigh

Uredinial Stage (Summer)

Wood DecayHigh

Wound Infection Window

AphidHigh

Peak Population & Dispersal

Birch leafminerHigh

Adult Emergence

+ 4 more — see full disease and pest lists below

Diseases: Regionally Documented (3)

Multiple genera (Melampsoridium, Thekopsora, Naohidemyces... Rust Symptom category — not a single disease Canker Multiple Basidiomycete fungi cause wood decay in trees Wood Decay

Pests: Regionally Documented (9)

Agrilus anxius Bronze birch borer Fenusa pusilla Birch leafminer Aphidoidea Aphid Lepidosaphes ulmi Oystershell scale Choreutis pariana Apple-and-thorn skeletonizer Prionoxystus robiniae Carpenterworm Hyphantria cunea Fall webworm Symphyta Sawfly Malacosoma spp. Tent caterpillar

Phenological Calendar

View full calendar (8 stages)

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break BBCH 07	Feb 15-Mar 15	Buds swelling and beginning to open; first green tissue visible
Leaf emergence BBCH 11	Mar 1-Apr 1	First leaves fully unfurled on new growth
Bloom start BBCH 61	Apr 1-Apr 30	First open flowers visible; flowers brown
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	Apr 15-May 15	Last petals falling; flower structures fading
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Fruit or seed structures forming; fruit color: brown
Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85	Sep 1-Nov 30	Fruit fully colored and ripened; seed dispersal may begin
Fall color / leaf senescence BBCH 93	Oct 1-Nov 15	Leaves changing color; fall display beginning
Dormancy BBCH 97	Nov 15-Feb 28	Leafless; no active growth; dormant buds set

Cultivars (1)

'Whitespire Senior'

Common name: Whitespire Senior Gray Birch; Mature height: 30–40 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.