I suspect you're referring to Betula papyrifera. It takes about ten years for the bark to achieve its pure white look, and it will be at its maximum peeling state for the next couple of decades. As it matures the bark will thicken and become furrowed, exhibiting less of the peeling.

Elzeard, you might be the first poster on this site who doesn't want the bark to peel. It's usually considered one of the finest traits of this tree, but I guess not for everyone. If your'e looking for unique white bark without peeling, maybe consider something like Acer tegmentosum 'Joe Witt'. It's not pure white, but very unique and attractive.

And just to add. Betula papyrifera doesn't like dry upland sites. They will establish themselves there, but they really like consistently moist soil conditions for optimal growth and well-being.

i really dont know what you are talking about ... it CAN BE peeled if you wish ..

but it doesnt peel itself annually and make some sort of mess for you to clean up ... in fact.. if kids didnt rip off bark when they were little.. and leaving it laying around for me to get pissed off.. i cant really say ive ever seen random birch bark laying around...

i suppose you could have some random bear come along.. and tear the bark off your tree.. but then.. it would be more of a bear problem.. not really a birch problem.. eh??

ken

and BTW... welcome to the forums.. in EVERY post ... tell us where you are.. big city name...

just in case in this case.. birch isnt recommended in some areas ...

and do be sure.. to plant them 20 or more feet from the house ... way too many peeps like to plant one on the corner of the house .. maybe 3 to 5 feet out.. only to find out.. that 30 foot tree is messing up the paint or siding.. or eaves.. or gutters.. etc ....

ken

@BillMN-z4a Im glad to know it isn't as bad as River Birch, because that was my concern. Their peeling is "extreme" and not what Im going for. I'm primarily looking for an Aspen substitute that isn't going to sprout a forest

Elzeard,

I've seen paper birch growing as single trees in woodland settings, so not necessarily a 'clump' tree. I've had to stop and look sometimes to tell them apart from an aspen.

Without knowing your general location and usda zone, I could say that sycamore trees get pretty white too as they mature but can be more of a 'mottled' grey & white.

eta: Correction: Platanus occidentalis - sycamore tree, not sycamore maple.

@BillMN-z4a Im planning to go with a Renaissance Reflection Paper Birch, so it should hopefully maintain an upright single trunk form well

Elzeard - if you are located in Colorado Springs(?) white birch may not be very well adapted unless you can provide regular irrigation. Are you purchasing from a local nursery that is recommending RR Birch?

I can't answer your question, but just wanted to say that I love your screen name. I used to have a cassette tape of Giono's story narrated by Robert J. Lurtsema, and wore it out listening to it.

arbordave is correct Elzeard.

Even though Renaissance Reflection Paper Birch is considered Bronze Birch Borer resistant, it sounds like all bets are off if you allow the tree to get dry.

'This exceptional selection features snow-white peeling bark and gold fall color, shows greater heat tolerance than the species, resistant to borer; needs adequate moisture; one of the best for winter value, keep it happy to avoid problems with birch borer'

https://plants.oaklandnursery.com/12130001/Plant/7301/Renaissance_Reflection_Paper_Birch/

@arbordave (SE MI) @BillMN-z4a

Yes I'm currently in the Colorado front range area. It may be a challenge to grow it here primarily because of wind but it's an experiment I want to try. Irrigation wont be a problem. I know of a Japanese Birch growing here so that gave me hope.

@Bookwoman Ive had two profiles here over the last decade with that username and you are the first to recognize it. It's nice to know that man's accomplishments are remembered and kept alive in someone else's mind. I chose it because before moving here I was planting entire forests of trees that were beginning to disappear in Texas

Himalayan white birch, Betula jacquemontii, has the whitest bark of any birch. And it doesn't peel or flake off easily. Hardy to zone 4 or 5, like most birches, it does not care for high heat or humidity.

“…it does not care for high heat or humidity.”

If you can meet those two requirements, B. papyrifera is actually a much more durable plant than what is generally thought.

ALL birches dislike heat and humidity!! And stressed birches are more prone to BBB regardless of species. The only species relatively resistant is river birch, Betula nigra.

Good grief. If this were a bar you'd be told to take it outside. How about you take it off the forum? It reminds me of my two kids when they were being bratty.

There is another thread in this forum on the BBB resistance of the Dakota Pinnacle Birch. I would have gone with that variety since it is drought tolerant, but most of them have a borderline spire shape which I'm not a fan of

I have 2 cents! My paper birch doesn't generally peel too much. On rare occasion I find some white bark on the lawn that is just too big for the little birds to make off with, I guess. However, the most fantastic thing, in my opinion, is when the tree does suddenly shed virtually all its bark in a short time. I wish I'd snapped a photo. It happened over a winter 2 years ago. The tree shone like spring!

New one to me. I've never seen that in all the years I lived in the north woods.

BillMN-z-2-3-4 There's still time, maybe you will!

Oh, I'm not doubting you, I've just never seen it happen.

I'm sure the right conditions of climate must be present.