Sweet Birch

Sweet birch (Betula lenta) is an eastern North American tree with glossy leaves that turn yellow in autumn and bark that darkens with age. The [USDA Forest Service](https://research.fs.usda.gov/silvics/sweet-birch) describes a wintergreen aroma in crushed leaves and twigs, while [Kew](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:295125-1) accepts the name Betula lenta L. ## Landscape use The [USDA Forest Service Silvics account](https://research.fs.usda.gov/silvics/sweet-birch) reports typical mature heights of about 15–18 m, with larger trees on especially favorable sites. Sweet birch suits spacious landscapes as a shade or specimen tree and is also called black birch or cherry birch. ## Siting and soil It grows best in moist, well-drained soil and tolerates rocky or shallow sites. [UMass Extension](https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/fact-sheets/birch-culture) recommends full sun and deep, rich, moist soil for birch culture, and cautions against hot, dry urban sites. ## Maintenance Water young trees during dry spells and mulch without piling material against the trunk. Prune selectively after leaves expand, following [UMass Extension guidance](https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/fact-sheets/birch-culture); avoid compacted, hot, or persistently dry planting sites.