Early growth of planted yellow and paper birch and European birches in Vermont

Abstract

Twelve native yellow birch (Betula alleghanensis Britt.) and paper birch (B. papyrifera Marsh.) sources and 9 European white birch (B. pendula Roth.) sources were planted on three sites in Vermont. Significant differences in growth were found among sources within two of the sites, and differences between sites were significant. Birch from Latvia appeard to be the best source on favorable sites attaining a total height of 5.18m, a total 6-year height increment of 4.29 m, and good stem form. Birches from Finland also showed good growth potential. Six yellow birch seed sources grew well on the best site and yellow birch ranks best there as a species group. European white birches do best as a group on the poor site. Silver birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) from Scotland grew poorest of the European birches.