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| The birch family is composed of about 40 species of trees and shrubs that are restricted to the Northern Hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to the Himalayan Mountains in the east, and to the Southeastern United States in the west. Many of these trees have attractive foliage and/or a showy distinctive bark, and are used widely as ornamentals. Three of these trees are are common in Florida and introduced here. |
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| Betula nigra
river birch |
| Habit
The river birch is a medium-sized tree, 70-80 feet in height and 15-30 inches in diameter. The branches start 15-20 feet from the ground and are large and arching, forming an irregularly spreading crown. The roots are shallow and widespread. Leaves Leaves are simple, alternate, and deciduous. The leaves of the
river birch are 1-2 inches wide, rhombic in shape, with an acute apex.
The leaf base is wedge-shaped. Leaf margins are sharply, doubly serrate
(two sets of teeth). The leaves are bright green above, paler and
pubescent below. The petioles are slender, somewhat flattened, and
pubescent, and about 1/2 inch in length.
The twigs are slender, zig-zagging, orange- or reddish-brown, and with
short stiff reddish-brown pubescence. The pith is homogeneous.
The bark is reddish-brown on young individuals, becoming white or salmon
pink and papery, then gray to gray-brown and coarsely scaled.
The river birch is the only birch in the south to be found at low altitudes.
It is most common along streams and in wet bottomlands in association with
American elm, sycamore, red and silver maples, hackberry, boxelder, willows,
and poplars. This tree occurs in southern New England west through
Pennsylvania, and southern Wisconsin to southeastern Minnesota; south to
northern Florida in the east and eastern Texas in the west.
The wood of the river birch is used locally for fuel and occasionally
for woodenware and turnery. It has limited ornamental use.
 Query
the USDA Plant Database |
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| Carpinus caroliniana
American hornbeam, blue beech, ironwood, musclewood |
 Habit
The American hornbeam is a large shrub or small tree that rarely attains
a height greater than 25-35 feet or a diameter greater than 15-20 inches.
It has a characteristic short, commonly twisted trunk that rises from a
shallow, spreading anchorage of lateral roots. This tree branches
very close to the ground.
The twigs are slender, zig-zagging, deep red to reddish-purple.
The pith is homogeneous.
The bark is tight, thin, smooth, blue-gray, occasionally with a small
knob-like bumps.
The American hornbeam is an understory tree found on deep, rich, moist
loams, along streams, and in swamps and wet bottomlands in association
with many hardwoods. This tree is widespread through southeastern
Canada and the eastern and southeastern U.S.
The wood of the American hornbeam is hard, tough, heavy. As such
it is used in limited quantities for tool handles. The tree also
has limited use as an ornamental.
Query
the USDA Plant Database |
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| Ostrya virginiana
hophornbeam |
 Habit
The hophornbeam is a small tree that rarely attains a height greater
than 20-30 feet or a diameter greater than 15-20 inches. It has a
small columnar bole, and a round-topped or vase-like, open crown.
It has a moderately deep root system.
Leaves are simple, alternate, and deciduous. They are 1.5-2.5
inches wide, oval, long, and tapered in shape, with an acute apex.
The leaf base is rounded, heart-shaped, or wedge-shaped. Leaf margins
are sharply, serrate. The leaves are dull yellow-green above, paler
and pubescent below. The leaf petioles are slender, pubescent, and
are about 1/4 inch in length.
The twigs are slender, zig-zagging, yellowish-brown to orange-brown,
pubescent through the first winter. The pith is homogeneous.
The bark is reddish-brown and cherry-like on young stems. On mature
stems, the bark is gray-brown and is broken into narrow, long, plate-like
scales, which are free at the ends, giving the trunk a shredded appearance.
The hophornbeam grows on slopes and ridges, sometimes in bottomlands.
This tree is an understory tree associated with many hardwoods. This
tree is widespread through southeastern Canada and the eastern and southeastern
U.S.
The wood of the hophornbeam is used locally for posts, tool handles,
and mallets.
Query
the USDA Plant Database |
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Leaves
are simple, alternate, and deciduous. The leaves of the American
hornbeam are 1-2 inches wide, oval in shape, with an acute apex.
The leaf base is rounded. Leaf margins are sharply, doubly serrate
(two sets of teeth). The leaves are dull blue-green and smooth above,
pale yellow-green and pubescent below. The leaf petioles are slender,
pubescent, and are about 1/3 inch in length.