WESTERN WATER BIRCH

Betula occidentalis

Birch Family (Betulaceae)

A sister species to the widely-planted river birch (Betula nigra) of the eastern United States, western water birch is the common streamside birch throughout western North America. It features finely toothed, bright green leaves, satiny red bark that resembles cherry bark, a graceful, multitrunked growth form, and wonderful golden fall color. Although commonly found in streamside communities, western water birch is more drought hardy in the landscape than its name would imply, requiring no more water than upland trees like bigtooth maple and Gambel oak, which make good companions. Western water birch can also be planted with an understory of grasses and perennials, including shining muttongrass and firechalice. Its arching growth form makes it a good shade tree for home landscapes in spite of its small size, usually no more than 30 feet in height.