White birch is a common tree species found throughout the Boreal forest across a broad range of site conditions. A native Alberta species, this tree is easily recognized by its smooth, white peeling bark. Intolerant of shade, white birch thrives on burnedover and cutover areas. White birch closely parallels the distribution of poplars in Alberta, found throughout the province with the exception of dryer southeastern regions. Within the Aspen Grove Section in Alberta and Saskatchewan, birch has a sporadic distribution, usually found only on rough, broken land. It has a scattered representation at the Lower Foothills, and sparse representation at the Upper Foothills of Alberta. Within the Mixedwood Forests, white birch occurs in varying proportions on well-drained uplands. It is very seldom found in pure stands of significant commercial size.
On a national level, white birch is inventoried with all other birches, except yellow birch; and makes up 4.7% of the national forest inventory (16.5% of Canada’s hardwood inventory). Within Alberta, white birch constitutes 3.6% of the province’s hardwood inventory; 1.3% of total provincial forest inventory.
The fact sheet describes visual, physical and working properties for this species for the wood-consuming value added sector.