Black Birch

Betula lenta

A species of birch native to eastern North America, from southern Maine west to southernmost Ontario

• A medium-sized tree that can reach 40 to 50 feet in height with a trunk diameter of about 2 ft.  

• Fruit is a brown, cone-like aggregate that is 1-1.5 inches in length.

• The leaves are simple, alternate, elliptic to ovate with an acute tip and cordate base.

• Mature tree bark turns dark brown to black and breaks up into scales and plates.

• Fun fact: At one point, the black birch was the only source of oil of wintergreen, an essential oil known for its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, and antioxidant properties.