White Paper Birch Tree Seeds– (Betula papyrifera)
White Paper Birch Tree Seeds– (Betula papyrifera)
The white tree. The one you always remember.
Betula papyrifera, the White Paper Birch, is one of the most iconic trees of the northern forest. Its brilliant white bark peels in delicate, paper-thin layers, glowing against summer greens and winter snow alike. A fast-establishing pioneer species, it moves into open or disturbed ground with ease, bringing light, contrast, and movement to the landscape. Cold-hardy, graceful, and deeply tied to North American history, this is a tree that defines place.
- Striking white exfoliating bark unlike any other native tree
- Fast-growing pioneer species ideal for open or disturbed sites
- Bright yellow fall color that contrasts beautifully with white bark
- Supports wildlife including birds, deer, and small mammals
- Extremely cold-hardy, native into northern and Arctic regions
Things You Probably Didn’t Know
It was North America’s original paper.
Indigenous peoples used birch bark for writing, canoes, baskets, and shelter. Its waterproof, flexible nature made it one of the most versatile natural materials available.
The sap has a long history of use.
Birch sap flows each spring and has been used as a drink, fermented beverage, and light syrup. It remains a traditional product in parts of Europe and Asia.
It produces massive amounts of seed.
A single tree can release over a million tiny winged seeds, allowing birch to quickly reestablish after fire or land disturbance.
It prepares the forest for what comes next.
As a pioneer species, White Paper Birch improves soil and creates shade, setting the stage for longer-lived hardwoods like maple and beech.
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Betula papyrifera
- Stratification: Required; 60–90 days cold stratification, surface sow (light required)
- USDA Zones: 2–7
- Soil: Well-drained, moist, acidic to neutral
- Light: Full sun
- Height: 50–70 feet
- Spread: 25–35 feet
- Growth Rate: Fast (1.5–2.5 ft/year)
Plant it where you want something that lights up the landscape in every season and leaves the soil better than it found it.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. They are stored under dry, cold conditions to preserve viability without initiating stratification, allowing you to time germination for your local growing season.
The exception is recalcitrant seeds. Because these seeds must remain moist to stay viable, they are kept in moist, cold storage and are therefore in a pre-stratified state. Depending on how long a particular batch has been stored, some may arrive with an emerging radicle and be ready to plant immediately. Radicle development is not guaranteed.
Please refer to the individual product page and included growing instructions for species-specific requirements.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes. Some species we offer, including Chestnut, Hazelnut, and Paw Paw, are recalcitrant and must remain moist to stay viable.
Please refrigerate these seeds immediately upon arrival unless they have already developed a radicle. Seeds with an emerging radicle should be planted promptly.
Do you ship internationally?
No. We currently ship within the United States only.
We previously shipped to Canada, but tariffs, duties, and import fees resulted in customers receiving significant and unpredictable additional charges upon delivery. Because we cannot reliably calculate or absorb these costs, we have suspended shipping to Canada.
At this time, we do not ship to Canada or other international destinations.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
• Hand-packed in resealable kraft paper seed bags
• Stratification and planting instructions included on every seed pack
• Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS within the United States and U.S. territories
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
If your order arrives damaged, contains incorrect items, or is missing items, please contact us within 7 days of delivery so we can resolve the issue.
