Betula populifolia Marshall

• Region

  North America

• Country

  United States of America

• State/Province

  Michigan

• County/Municipio

  Jackson Co.

• Locality

  In natural gas pipeline corridor; east of the cultivated field that borders Draper Road

• Coordinates

  42.177, -84.3805

• Distribution

  Map all specimens of this taxon

PLANTS OF MICHIGAN
SPECIES: Betula populifolia Marsh.
COUNTY: Jackson
MUNICIPALITY: Summit Twp.
TOWNSHIP: T03 RANGE: R01 SECTION: 25
SUBSECTION: W 1/2 of SW 1/4
LATITUDE: 42° 10' 37.05" N
LONGITUDE: 84° 22' 49.83" W
LOCATION: In natural gas pipeline corridor; east of the
cultivated field that borders Draper Road.
HABITAT: In a wetland; on peat that is >1 meter thick.
The birches occupy a corridor that was cut
through a red maple swamp in order to lay
an underground natural gas pipeline.
ASSOCIATES: Sphagnum palustre (common); S.
capillifolium (common); Carex
oligosperma (abundant); Rhamnus
frangula (very common); Rubus
hispidus (frequent); Spiraea tomentosa
(frequent); Rubus setosus (frequent);
Thelypteris palustris; Osmunda regalis;
Dryopteris cristata; Acer rubrum
seedlings; Aster umbellatus;
Calamagrostis canadensis; Vaccinium
corymbosum; Eriophorum virginicum f.
album.
ABUNDANCE: Hundreds of trees in an area about 20
meters wide and 160 meters long. I did
not observe this species anywhere else
on this 500 acre property.
DATE: 1 October 1999
COLLECTOR: W. W. Brodovich
NUMBER: 1303
NOTES: Many of the trees had 2 or 3 trunks. The
largest tree had five trunks with diameters at
breast height of 8.4, 7.6, 5.7, 2.2 and 1.3
inches. This tree was about 40 ft. tall. Most of
the larger trees were about 25 ft. tali.
Branches ascend at about 45 degrees from
the trunk; they may continue ascending or
spread outwards. The trunks arise from a burl-
like base. Many saplings were present, but no
seedlings; presumably because the shade is
now too dense. The leaves turn clear yellow in
autumn. The bark is white and does not peel.
This is the second population of this species I
have found in Michigan.
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