Betula lenta

• BOTANICAL NAME:  Betula lenta
• PRONUNCIATION:  BET-u-la  LEN-ta
• COMMON NAME:  Cherry, Black, or Sweet Birch
• FAMILY:   Betulaceae
• NATIVITY:   Eastern North America; common in upland areas.
• GROWTH HABIT:  Pyramidal in youth, becoming irregular, open and informal at maturity; 40'-60' (80') tall.  Medium growth rate.
• HARDINESS:   Zone 3-7
• CULTURE:   Well-drained, deep, rich, moist soil; full sun to light shade.
• SUCCESSIONAL STATUS: Successional/Seral
• FACULTATIVE STATUS: Facultative Upland
• LANDSCAPE USE:  Medium to large tree for landscape use, suited to naturalization and parks.  Easily found where native; not commonly found in the landscape trade.  Flowers in catkins.  Monoecious plant.
• FOLIAGE:   Alternate, simple, ovate, 2 1/2" - 6" long.  Mostly cordate base, pointed apex, serrate and often doubly serrate.  Glossy dark green in summer, turning golden yellow in fall.
• BUDS:    Conical, red-brown.
• BARK:    Dark reddish brown somewhat cherrylike.  Stems with sweet fragrance when crushed.
• FRUIT:    Catkin, 1 1/2" long maturing in the fall.
• PROPAGATION:  Seed.
• PESTS:   Numerous; borer resistant.
• CULTIVARS: