Unusual Birch? Please Help Identify Tree

violet

Please help identify this tree? The lower portion of the tree (approx 1/2) has a strong coarse vertical bark, and the upper half of the tree looks distinctly birch. Any help is much appreciated.

violet

violet

dov

Looks like Betula lenta - Sweet Birch. Would it be possible to get a close-up of the leaves?

violet

Thank you for your reply. This is the best i could do...

Chimera

It's most likely Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides). It has white bark when young, fissuring into darker bark as it gets older. It also has really straight, upright growth, while most birch species tend to be smaller with pendulous or draping branches.

dov

Can you get hold of any fallen leaves?

Eric Frei

Well, there's a distinct whorl of leaves, so it's not the birch .... and I'm no cold climate tree bloke so I reckon the Populus ID is more correct.

Just my 0.02

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violet

i've been unable to find any fallen leaves, but will post a pic if any can be found in the near future. thanks again everyone for your opinions

chainsaw charlie

hello, just thought id try and add some light to the subject. My opinion it is not a birch, doesnt have distintive features of a birch, id say its a poplar, it cant be Populus tremuloides as this tree species has serrated leaves which are not a feature of this tree, id say its Populus trichocarpa(Black Cottonwood), most likely the male cultivar 'Frizt Pauley'.

Brent Ferris

I agree. If you can find any fallen leaves, the stem should be flattened, allowing the leaves to flutter in the faintest breeze.
Typically grows to 80 - 100 ft tall, most of the foliage at the top.

And if beavers live near you, protect the base 3 ft up with chicken wire -- they love Aspen.

Brent Ferris

Can you provide pics of both CC for comparison, and where both grow?

Leif Raukleiv

I agree in Aspen. Aspen is one of the most common trees in Norway. Populus tremula, and it looks to be very similar to Populus tremuloides. Typical is the yellow moss on the trunc too.
The bark is attractive food for beavers, deers and moose.
We have a proverb: To tremble like an Aspen leaf. Then you are freezing, or frightened.
The wood is used for firewood, but doesn't give very much heat. It is used for matches, burns well and glows little.
In earlier times it was very much used for different types of bowls, mainly for food for people or animals.
Under wet conditions it rots easily, though there is an old tradition here to use it as outside panel on houses, untreated. Then it will soon get a silvergrey patina. I post a picture of a public toilet on a beach close to the camping where I have my caravan.


Aspen panel outside.

Leif.

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violet

Interesting bits of info, most helpful. Thanks again everyone for your efforts & input. Since posting, I've made note of how the leaves move in the wind, and indeed they do seem to flutter as described with an Aspen.