Tree-Watching: White Birch Tree in February
February 19, 2012
Curling bark of white birch tree
This birch tree stands near the bus stop in my neighborhood. I had occasion to spend some time with it as I was waiting for my bus to arrive. It’s really a marvelous tree.
Birch buds in an alternating pattern down a twig
Birch catkins
These catkins look like three-toed bird claws
Sagging bark like old skin
Watercolor and ink sketch of birch buds and catkins
Rosemary's Blog 
February 19, 2012 at 9:42 am
Hello Rosemary,
I’m one of your followers in Skagit County and am always inspired by your entries. What kind of camera do you use to take your artful shots of the trees (and the world!) you follow?
Best,
Mary
February 19, 2012 at 10:20 am
Greetings!
I use a digital SLR, a Canon xTi, usually with a zoom lens.
February 19, 2012 at 10:55 am
How pretty Rosemary. I adore the textures and the look of paper birch and white birch. I never have saw the catkins on one before. They are such a nice element to the tree too.
March 9, 2012 at 10:11 am
Can you tell me which birch tree has the catkins that “look like three-toed bird claws”? Our neighbor has this in his yard and we would like to know what species it is.
March 9, 2012 at 10:18 am
I don’t know for sure, but I will ask for help at the hotline at Center for Urban Horticulture. Then I’ll get back to you.
March 9, 2012 at 1:03 pm
I got an answer from the plant hotline at the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle. I think this birch is betula jacquemontii (see link: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/beja9.htm). But it might also be betula paprifera.
Thank you Plant Answer Line! You are a wonderful resource.