Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)

Family: Betulaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Betula papyrifera is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 1. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Flowers, Sap/Syrup, Bark/Inner Bark

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet flavour. — Inner bark - raw or cooked.; Best in the spring.; The inner bark can also be dried and ground into a meal and used as a thickener in soups or be added to flour and used in making bread, biscuits etc.; Inner bark is generally only seen as a famine food, used when other forms of starch are not available or are in short supply.

Habitat & North American Range

Woods, usually on slopes, edges of ponds, streams and swamps etc. Found in a wide range of soil conditions, but the best specimens are found in well-drained sandy-loam soils. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)