Archive for the ‘River Birch’ Category

The River Birch in October

Posted in Follow a tree, River Birch on October 6, 2015| 2 Comments »

Oct. 6...A slight yellowing of the leaves can be seen.

Oct. 6…A slight yellowing of the leaves can be seen.

Closer up, you can see more yellowing of the leaves. As I understand it, as the nights become longer, the tree senses that winter is coming and stops making chlorophyll. chlorophyll gives the leaf the green color. When chlorophyll decreases, the other colors come through. In this case, yellow.

Closer up, you can see more yellowing of the leaves. As I understand it, as the nights become longer, the tree senses that winter is coming and stops making chlorophyll.  Chlorophyll gives the leaf the green color. When chlorophyll decreases, the other colors come through. In this case, yellow.

You can see how the chlorophyll is disappearing. At this stage it is only located along the veins.

You can see how the chlorophyll is disappearing. At this stage it is only located along the veins.

Cones are ready to fall off. I reached up to grab one and it fell apart in my hand.

Cones are ready to fall off. I reached up to grab one and it fell apart in my hand.

I reached a second cone, this time being careful not to crush it, and laid it on the side walk before cutting it open.

I reached a second cone, this time being careful not to crush it, and laid it on the side walk before cutting it open.

What's inside the River Birch cone? Seeds, lots of them.

What’s inside the River Birch cone? Seeds, lots of them.

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Female Flowers Forming–River Birch

Posted in Follow a tree, River Birch on September 14, 2015| 4 Comments »

Last month, Philip Strange asked me if I had seen any immature catkins yet. They were forming on the birch trees in the UK. The next day I looked carefully at the tree to find this little one (see arrow) It's about 1/2

Last month, Philip Strange asked me if I had seen any immature catkins yet. They were forming on the birch trees in the UK. The next day I looked carefully at the tree to find this little one (see arrow) It’s about 1/2″ long (1 cm) If I understand it correctly, the larger catkin will form the female flower next spring.  Uh, that’s not quite right…the larger catkin will turn brown THIS year and drop off the tree and the smaller one will grow into next year’s catkin.  Philip Strange sent me THIS LINK which explains the difference in male and female River birch catkins.  See if you can figure it out as I’ve never seen the longer female catkins.

This is how the tree looks in late August. It's still has plenty of green leaves.

This is how the tree looks in early September. It’s still has plenty of green leaves.

Sept. 20...Leaves of Betula Nigra are still green.

Sept. 20…Leaves of Betula Nigra are still green in September, but starting to show age.

Sept. 10...The mature River Birch cones are starting to fall.

Sept. 10…The mature River Birch cones are starting to fall.

Sept. 10...I see the ivy is growing back. I wonder if Ollie is going to trim it again.

Sept. 10…I see the ivy is growing back. I wonder if Ollie is going to trim it again.

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An August Look at the River Birch

Posted in Follow a tree, River Birch, tagged , on August 13, 2015| 7 Comments »

River Birch or Himalayan Birch???

8-4-15...A look at the River Birch, (Betula nigra) while the sun is out.

8-4-15…A look at the Birch, while the sun is out.

I was happy to meet Ollie who happened to be walking her dog at the same time.  I explained that I was ‘following’ this tree, but was still unsure as to which species it was.  She said that she was the one who had trimmed the ivy off the tree.  “I know it’s a birch,” she says, “try looking up Himalayan birch” (betula utilis Jacquemontii)

I looked it up, but the Himalayan birch leaf is squarer at the base, not so wedge-shaped.

This is a Himalayan birch leaf. Note the rounded base of leaf...clearly not the same as a River birch. This image is courtesy of Oregon State University.

This is a Himalayan birch leaf. Note the rounded base of leaf…clearly not the same as a River birch. This image is courtesy of Oregon State University.

Here is another Himalayan leaf furnished by oregonstate.edu. The leaf is tapered similar to the River Birch. How am I supposed to know the difference???

Here is another Himalayan leaf furnished by oregonstate.edu.
The leaf is tapered similar to the River Birch. How am I supposed to know the difference???

August 13...River birch still putting out a few new leaves.

August 13…I picked another leaf off this morning to get another look at it.

Aug. 13...I shot another leaf with a new camera. This is just to see how well the zoomed close up option works.

Aug. 13…I shot this close up with a new camera. This is just to see how well the zoomed close up option works and get a good close up look.

According to Washington State University, “Himalayan birch is the most widely grown of the birch species in the Pacific Northwest and is greatly prized for its distinctive white bark which makes it a welcome addition during the darker days of winter.“

Logically, since the Himalayan birch is more prevalent in the Pacific Northwest, it follows that this is a Himalayan birch…but of all the Himalayan leaves that are shown on Google images, most of them are “square” at the base, and while the River Birch is native to the southeastern United States, it is tolerant in other climates too as long as it can grow in moist acidic soils.  Since it was planted possibly over 40 years ago, this area was getting about 65 inches of rain a year then.  It would have been moist enough for a River Birch.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 🙂

Speaking of leaves…

Hmmm. I think the leaves are starting to turn already. We've been having many days of sunny weather

I think the leaves are starting to turn already. We’ve been having many days of sunny weather.

August 4...example of a leaf that has lost it's chlorophyll. Chlorophyll gives leaves their green color and absorbs light that is used in photosynthesis. You have to wonder why some leaves lose color while others don't. "Okay everyone on this list gets no more chlorophyll." I'm sure there's a good reason, but this leaf here must be on the list. :) Eventually, because of shorter days and decreasing sunlight, the tree will stop producing chlorophyll altogether and all the leaves will turn color.

August 4…example of a leaf that has lost it’s chlorophyll. Chlorophyll gives leaves their green color and absorbs light that is used in photosynthesis. You have to wonder why some leaves lose color while others don’t. “Okay everyone on this list gets no more chlorophyll.” I’m sure there’s a good reason, but this leaf here must be on the list. 🙂  Eventually, because of shorter days and decreasing sunlight, the tree will stop producing chlorophyll altogether and all the leaves will turn color.

Cinnamon bark is a-peeling. (Sorry about that, I couldn't resist)

Cinnamon bark is a-peeling.

An even closer look at the peeling bark.

An even closer look at the peeling bark.

8-4-15...Holes in the trunk...are the dreaded

8-4-15…Uh oh, holes in the trunk…Is this the result of the dreaded Bronze Birch Borer?  Not to worry, the River Birch is resistant to it, whereas it can severely damage a Himalayan Birch.

Some birch cones are 'maturing.' This one fell apart in my hand. Next month I'll take one home and try to find the seeds.

Some birch cones are ‘maturing.’ This one fell apart in my hand. Next month I’ll take one home and try to find the seeds.

According to SF Gate, “River birch also is valuable as a source of erosion control and is used to reclaim areas with high soil acid caused by mining. Wildlife, such as birds and rodents, eat its seeds, and deer eat its twigs and foliage. Ruby-throated hummingbirds drink its sap.”

Any birch tree experts out there?

 

 

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