Also called:
In North America, do not confuse with similar-named sister-species
🇪🇺 ◼︎ European white birch Betula pendula.
Although both are part of
birch genus Betula
in
alder / birch / hazel / hornbeam family Betulaceae
in
bayberry / beech / birch / oak / walnut order Fagales.
Native to northern North America.
🗺 Map by county (🇺🇸 USA-48),
🗺 map (North America, Central America),
🗺 today + with climate change (eastern 🇺🇸 USA).
🌳︎ Provincial tree of Saskatchewan. 🌳︎ State tree of New Hampshire.
Uses by native peoples
(Ethnobotany database)
Despite its nickname,
the aircraft Spruce Goose
was built primarily of birch wood, with small amounts of maple, poplar, balsa, and, yes, spruce.
Betula hosts caterpillars of 413 species
of butterflies and moths, in some areas.
This plant is also known to be a host for (in areas where invasive)
🐝︎ spotted lanternfly (SLF) Lycorma delicatula.