Cherry birch (Betula lenta) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 2

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Executive summary

Cherry Birch
Betula lenta

Species information

Cherry birch (Betula lenta) is a tree in the birch family (Betulaceae). It has alternate leaves that are simple and toothed. It is distinguished from the other birches by its dark bark breaking into large plates lacking curled edges. Twigs and catkins lack hairs. Flowers are small and clustered into separate male and female catkins on the same tree.


Distribution

It is a tree of the northeastern United States with one population in adjacent Ontario.


Habitat

Typical habitat is on moist, well-drained soils but is also found on coarse textured or rocky shallow soils. It occurs with upland hardwoods and eastern hemlock.


Biology

It is a relatively long-lived tree, attaining ages of 200 or more years. This species has both male and female flowers on the same tree with isolated individuals being able to produce fruit. Pollen and seeds are wind dispersed.


Population sizes and trends

There is one population in Ontario that has been declining since abundance was first recorded in 1967.


Limiting factors and threats

Land clearing and housing development have directly impacted the habitat for this population. Clearing has also indirectly impacted it by making the remaining habitat more prone to wind damage from storms off Lake Ontario.


Special significance of the species

The species was widely used by First Nations people as well as early settlers for a number of curative and cultural applications. There is only one natural population in Canada.


Existing protection

Although it has an N1 designation for Canada and an S1 designation for the province (both indicating that the species is critically imperilled) it is not protected federally or provincially. The species is “not ranked/under review” in the adjacent states of Ohio and New York and is secure in Pennsylvania.

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