VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Betula populifolia | Gray Birch 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
Gray birch is easily worked with tools and is an excellent wood for
turning.  It is used for woodenware such as spools, clothespins, and
novelties.  Gray birch is much less valued than paper birch (B.
papyrifera) because of its small size, short life, and limited
distribution.  Its wood is often used for fuel, and stands can be cut
for firewood at comparatively frequent intervals because of its ability
to regenerate quickly [7,17].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Beavers and porcupines chew on the bark and wood of gray birch.
Sapsuckers feed on the sap, and songbirds such as the pine siskin and
chickadee feed on the seeds.  The ruffed grouse eat the male catkins and
buds [7,26].  The twigs provide winter browse for snowshoe hare, moose,
and white-tailed deer [30].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
In Maine, gray birch provides hiding cover for the bobcat and hare [23].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Its status as a pioneer species and its adaptability to disturbed sites
indicate that gray birch is a good hardwood species for use in
revegetating mine spoils and other disturbed areas.  It has been planted
successfully on acid coal mine spoils in Pennsylvania [35].

Propagation:  Gray birch can be propagated by grafting of cuttings.
Cuttings from seedlings root sooner and at higher rates, although no
percentages have been given [6,19].



OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
The pleasing form, white bark, graceful slender branches, and delicate
foliage make gray birch an attractive tree for ornamental purposes.  Its
desirability is lessened only by its short life and liability to storm
injury [7].  Gray birch also has some value as a "nurse tree" for the
more valuable pines that require protection to become established
[17].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Gray birch is not a valued timber species due to its small size and
limited distribution [17].  It is short-lived and does not compete with
more desirable commercial trees in any part of its range [14].  With the
exception of injury caused by leaf miner, gray birch is free from
diseases.  It is often seriously injured by ice and snow [7].

Related categories for Species: Betula populifolia | Gray Birch