Top native birches and allies

24 species, native to the US, ranked by caterpillars, then bees and other hosts, food, flowers and shelter.

Filter

24 native plants

Sun and shade

Light

Full sun 10 Part shade 18 Full shade 9

Soil and water

Moisture

Dry 4 Well drained 9 Moist 15 Wet 8

Water use

Low 3 Medium 6 High 8

Soil

Rocky 3 Sand 9 Loam 10 Clay 11 Organic 1

Soil pH

Acid 4 Neutral 9 Alkaline 1

Toughness

Drought tolerant

Deer resistant

Resists

Wet soil 7 Fire 6 Wind 4 Compaction 3 Poor soil 3 Black walnut 2 Dry soil 2 Erosion 2 Heat 2 Storm damage 2 Diseases 1 Foot traffic 1 Heavy shade 1 Humidity 1 Insect pests 1 Pollution 1 Urban conditions 1

Form

Habit

Pyramidal 6 Rounded 5 Multi stemmed 4 Oval 4 Spreading 4 Dense 3 Erect 3 Multi trunked 3 Clumping 2 Conical 1 Mounding 1 Open 1

Plant type

Tree 18 Perennial 15 Shrub 13 Edible 1