Scientific Name: Betula lenta
Height: 50-70 ft
Spread: 40-50 ft
Bloom Time: April
Crown Density: Moderate
Native Range: East Coast North America, Pennsylvania
Ecological Value: Larval host plant for 413 species of caterpillars including tiger swallowtail and morning cloak butterflies. Seeds and flower buds feed birds, and small mammals.
Human Value: Can be tapped like a maple tree and the sap used to make syrup or fermented into beer, wine, or vinegar. The roots, leaves and branch tips can be steeped to make tea. Very young leaves can be eaten or used for flavoring. (EtW) The inner bark can be used as a flour substitute.