A stand of paper birch trees in Vermont in winter is an idyllic scene. Everywhere you look, you find ribbons of bark that practically beg to be used as canvases for drawing by the fire or thrown on as kindling. (Resist the temptation to peel, for the sake of the tree, and look for pieces that have fallen on their own.)
Betula papyrifera is a northern pioneer species that likes moist soil and cold sun; we’re at the very southern end of its range, where it is less commonly seen. Pictured here is one of a handful growing by the Province Lands Bike Trail, next to Great Pond.
Planting a paper birch in imperfect conditions makes it susceptible to the bronze birch borer, a native beetle that can kill stressed birch trees; other native birches that also have interesting bark are more reliable garden additions on the Cape.
