Learning to recognize the importance of different shaped trees is a valuable tool for any home gardener. The branching pattern of open-head irregular trees offer wonderful shade, while the branches of weeping trees can accomplish the goal of softening the look of a landscape. The canopies of globe shaped trees are ideal for formal landscapes and fastigate shaped trees provide beautiful hedges to define boundaries. Learn how to utilize these shapely trees to help give your landscape definition and character.
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European white birch is fast-growing, with stunning white bark (which does not peel as much as other birches) that ages to black, and spectacular yellow fall color. Although it can grow to 60 feet, a typical landscape size is 25 feet tall by 12 feet wide.
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River birch is a large tree, eventually reaching 50 feet under good conditions. Its graceful multi-branched habit and peeling cinnamon bark make it a handsome specimen tree, especially in cooler climates and moist soil.
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Paper birch reaches a height of 50 to 70 feet with a spread of 25 to 40 feet or more under good conditions. Its graceful multi-branched habit and peeling white bark make it a handsome specimen tree, especially in cool climates and moist soil.
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