Birch or Elm?

[RKatzin]

Since I've had this tree I've thought it was a type of birch. Looking at it today I'm not certain. The leaf is very elm-like, but the bark is flakey like a birch and there's no knobbyness on the branches like most elm.

Can anyone tell from the crappy pics what this tree is? Thanks for looking, Rick

 

[Lazylightningny]

does it produce any catkins in the spring?

 

[johng]

based on the leaf shape and flakey/papery bark I strongly suspect this is a birch. I am no expert though...especially with western species.

 

[RKatzin]

I don't recall any catkins this spring, but I just cut the grass around it and got a good look at it. It was poorly when I got it a few years back and it has struggled the past couple of seasons. I thought I'd lost her, but it looks like shes got a good bite this year and I'm seeing alot of new shoots and robust foliage.

I have three other birch and none have this short, dull green leaf. They all have shiney greens, longer fingers and more pronounced serration. They also have the characteristic white birch bark. Could this be a variety of River Birch (Betula nigra)?

 

[GrimLore]

River Birch are common here and I am pretty certain it is. I not certain what types are common there but I would not doubt it. The bark on those gets pretty "wild" and if it were mine it would be in a box and positioned as wanted in a pot in the future. In my book that is a good find. How tall and wide is it?

Grimmy

 

[Lazylightningny]

Do you think it's too late to lift it, Grimmy?

 

[RKatzin]

I got this tree from a nursery boneyard. It was broken, leafless and discarded and I could have it if I thought I could do something with it. I saw some life in it and planted it out in open ground for recovery.

 

[Paradox]

Looks like a birch to me and it has a pretty nice trunk IMO.

 

[GrimLore]

Do you think it's too late to lift it, Grimmy?

In our area things are moving real slow - Spring is 3 weeks behind. If I had the chance I would take it now, not next week. They grow nice in our region and I suspect with a decent pull it will do well. There is never a perfect time in this region as it changes so often but on this one I would pull it ASAP or wait until next Spring.

Grimmy

 

[RKatzin]

Thanks for the id and advice, Grimmy. I am in SW Oregon and our season is quite advanced, even my oaks are leafed out. The pics are only a few days ago. Should birch be dug when they are in leaf?

 

[JudyB]

Personally, I would wait if it's already fully leafed.

 

[GrimLore]

Thanks for the id and advice, Grimmy. I am in SW Oregon and our season is quite advanced, even my oaks are leafed out. The pics are only a few days ago. Should birch be dug when they are in leaf?

Not unless it is an emergency - I would recommend Spring as well. Our seasons are quite different indeed.

Grimmy

 

[RKatzin]

Thanks, that's kind of what I figured, but didn't know if you realized how advanced my season is. I'd like to give it another season in the garden because this is the first season its really shown a good start. Last season we had bad smoke from forest fires and it damaged alot of leaves. Thanks for all the help, Rick