Maple tree white bark
Trees with white bark: 10 varieties to bring contrast
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Trees with white bark are a beautiful addition to the garden at any time of year, however, it is in winter when they truly come alive. Set against the barren garden, the white bark becomes almost translucent, radiating a glow that will brighten every plot.
Standing in stark contrast to the greens and browns that define the garden's color palette, trees with white bark particularly pop when paired with plants with red and orange leaves and stems. So, whether you plant one statement tree or incorporate several into your backyard ideas, you will fall in love with the interesting colors and textures that they bring.
'Trees with white bark are less common than trees with dark bark, but they can be a stunning addition to a yard or landscape. When you scan a treeline, white bark trees always grab your attention,' says Shelby DeVore, the founder of Farminence .
Trees with white bark
With so many different options from which to choose, selecting the right trees with white bark for your garden can seem like a daunting prospect.
Before choosing a tree, pick the spot or spots where you want to grow trees with white bark. The location and conditions of the site will influence which tree will grow best in your plot. If you are looking for trees for privacy and screening, then also factor in how many trees are required, the distance needed between them, and where they need to be placed to offer privacy.
Having chosen your spot, then you can choose your tree. Be sure to take into account your gardens soil type and the growing zone in which you live when researching trees with white bark.
Once you've picked your tree and it's arrived at your home, you need to plant it. To do this, it is vital that you know how to plant a tree as this will give your new garden addition the greatest chance of success.
'Plant trees with white bark in front of evergreens to show off their statement bark. Grow white flowered shrubs, perennials and annuals to echo the bark – repeating the color from one plant or item to another helps provide balance and unity in the landscape,' advises arborist Melinda Myers .
1. Snakebark Maple (Acer tegmentosum 'White Tigress')
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If you're looking for striking trees with white bark then Snake Bark maple trees are a must have addition that brings both color and texture to your garden.
A variety of acer, these Japanese maple trees are characterised by the veining that runs the length of their trunks. There are several different varieties including Acer tegmentosum 'White Tigress' and Acer davidii 'Viper', both of which are characterised by green and silvery-white striated bark.
Another benefit of these pretty trees are that they are one of the easiest trees with white bark to grow, so long as they are planted in a sheltered spot with partial shade.
2. Weeping cherry tree (Prunus pendula)
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There is never a time of year when the weeping cherry is not putting on a show. In spring, it hosts a profusion of pink blossoms, in summer its dark green leaves shine in the sunlight and throughout fall and winter, its captivating white bark offers a centerpiece to a winter garden.
Easy to care for 'its drooping branches do not require pruning and will grow up to 25 feet high and 12 feet wide,' says Lindsey Hyland, gardening expert and founder of Urban Organic Yield . As well as it's pretty white bark, the weeping cherry is also one of our favorite trees with red berries, producing a fruit that is great for feeding birds in winter.
3. Japanese White Birch (Betula platyphylla var. japonica)
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Birch trees are the most iconic trees with white bark, and while we all instantly think of the Silver Birch or the Paper Bark birch, there are actually numerous different varieties all offering their own unique colors and textures.
One such tree is the Japanese White Birch.
As its name suggests, the Japanese White birch is native to Japan and is surprisingly hardy, thriving in growing zones 3 to 8. It will do best in well-drained soil in a spot that receives full-sun and a little shade in the afternoon and in ideal conditions it can reach up to 50 feet tall.
When growing trees with white bark, also think about the plants with which you are surrounding your tree. Trees with white bark always pop against red, so why not set your birch tree against red maple trees or surround them with fiery red cornus for an eye-catching display that will ignite your winter garden ideas.
4. Ghost gum (Corymbia aparrerinja)
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If you live in warmer climes, namely zones 9 and 10, then the Ghost gum is a great choice. 'It's a very tough and hardy plant that's well-suited to coastal areas. It's resistant to drought, pests, diseases, and other issues that can be detrimental to less hardy landscaping trees,' says Shelby DeVore.
Native to Australia, the Ghost gum gets its name from its striking white trunk which gives the tree an almost ghostly appearance. However, its white bark isn't the only thing that makes this tree a characterful addition to the garden.
Offering year round interest its one of the best evergreen trees for gardens as 'when the tree is hit with frost, its deep green, waxy leaves turn a deep purple,' continues Shelby, 'the tree also blooms late in the fall, when most other plants are settling in for the winter.'
5. Aspen (Populus tremula)
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The American aspen is known by many names including the quaking aspen or trembling aspen. Regardless of what you call it, everyone can agree that this tree is a beautiful addition to the backyard.
However, it is in fall that these trees with white bark really earn their place in the garden landscape. As the weather starts to turn, their green leaves ignite in a flurry of yellow and orange, providing a stark contrast to the white bark below.
It is this stunning display that makes them one of the best trees for autumn color.
However, the American aspen's beauty comes at a price as this tree requires very specific conditions in order to thrive. 'It grows best at high elevations (over 2,000 feet), and can't tolerate summer temperatures over 85 degrees. It's a great option for people living in mountain terrain looking for a special tree to add to the landscape,' says Shelby DeVore 'Their tall, narrow shape won't provide much shade but lining them up and creating a border or treeline is very appealing. In ideal conditions, these trees are fast-growing and can grow up to four feet each year.'
6. River Birch (Betula nigra)
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A unique tree in the garden, the River Birch offers a fascinating combination of texture and color. 'With its showy cinnamon colored bark that peels off to reveal shades of creamy white and beige, it's not hard to see why birch trees are loved by home gardeners,' says Nikki McAteer from Perfect Plants Nursery .
As an American native, the River Birch is a great addition to the garden and one that supports wildlife and natural ecosystems, offering a place for nesting birds and insects alike. Its fast growth rate makes it one of the best trees for privacy and screening in a backyard, too.
7. Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
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Not all trees with white bark have the same snowy complexion as the birches and aspen. The white bark of the sycamore is uniquely patterned, offering a camouflage mix of whites and greens that bring instant character to the garden.
'An American native, the Sycamore's upper branches will turn very light green, almost white as the tree grows,' says Blythe Yost, CEO of the online landscape design company Tilly , 'Sycamores like wet soils and can be found often on river banks'.
8. Himalayan Birch (Betula utilis jacquemontii)
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If you're looking for the birch trees with the whitest bark, then the Himalayan birch is the tree for you.
As its name suggests it is native to the Himalayas and its snowy white bark peels back each year to reveal the new layer below. While this new bark starts off yellowy, it ages to become a show-stopping white color.
9. Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)
If you're looking for the most versatile of the trees with white bark, then the silver birch tree is your best option.
'A great choice for both large and small gardens, silver birch trees are tolerant of most conditions and does best in a moist soil,' says Period Living's garden expert Leigh Clapp. When young, the trees bark appears redder, slowly peeling off and changing to the classic white as the tree matures.
Silver birch trees are also some of the best trees to grow in pots as the container stunts the trees growth, resulting in a perfectly formed yet smaller variety. These are perfect for adding shade and screening to a patio. However, if growing a silver birches in pots, then it is important to keep them well watered as they are very thirsty plants.
10. Paper Bark Birch (Betula papyrifera)
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A native tree, the paper birch is a popular choice for homeowners looking for trees with white bark to add to their garden. Growing moderately fast (up to 2 feet per year) and reaching 70 feet at maturity, it is a great choice if you are looking for best trees for privacy and screening.
'This tree is also brilliant for gardeners who are interested in encouraging wildlife into the gardens as the paper birch will provide food and habitat for numerous species of birds, moose, white-tailed deer, and small mammals,' says Shelby.
Why are some trees white?
Some trees are white because they have naturally white bark. The white color helps to protect the tree against damage from the sun by reflecting the light rather than absorbing it and its heat.
However, some trees are white because they have been painted white. Far from being an aesthetic choice, painting trees white is actually very beneficial to the tree for much the same reason that trees have naturally white bark.
The white paint helps to reflect the sunlight and heat and thus keep the tree cooler and reduce the effects of sun damage.
Painting trees is a particularly popular practice in areas with high temperatures and high UV-indices. If you are painting your trees, it is important to use a white latex rather than oil-based paint, as an oil-based paint will cause more harm than good.
What trees have white bark?
The weeping cherry tree, Japanese white birch, gum trees, Himalayan birch, Paper Bark birch and Aspen are all trees that have white bark. All of these trees have the classic white trunk that appears to glow in the sunlight and catches the eye on a frosty morning.
Another tree with white bark is the silver poplar, which is also called the white poplar. 'Frequently used in landscaping, white poplars are not a good choice for the garden,' says Shelby DeVore. 'They are an invasive species and in numerous states. In fact, it's illegal to possess or own them. Silver poplars are notorious for spreading and creating invasive colonies.
The aggressive way that they reproduce and their fast growth rate means that they often out-compete native trees and become a nuisance plant.' Therefore, it is best to avoid planting silver or white poplar trees in your garden.
Having graduated with a first class degree in English Literature, Holly started her career as a features writer and sub-editor at Period Living magazine, Homes & Gardens' sister title. Working on Period Living brought with it insight into the complexities of owning and caring for period homes, from interior decorating through to choosing the right windows and the challenges of extending. This has led to a passion for traditional interiors, particularly the country-look. Writing for the Homes & Gardens website as a content editor, alongside regular features for Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors magazines, has enabled her to broaden her writing to incorporate her interests in gardening, wildlife and nature.
Maple Tree Diseases With White Spots on the Bark | Home Guides
By Amanda Flanigan Updated December 09, 2018
When white spots appear on the bark, you know something is amiss with the maple (Acer) tree.
Various diseases affecting maple trees can cause discolorations on the tree bark. These diseases may lead to serious problems such as defoliation, branch dieback and death of the maple tree. Once you have determined the cause of the white spots, take the necessary actions to control the disease.
Valsa Cankers
A maple infected with valsa cankers will develop shallow cankers on its branches, stems and bark. These cankers will contain many small, white or grayish pimple-like bumps. This disease occurs when the fungal pathogen enters through injured bark caused by mechanical damage or pruning cuts. Valsa cankers also result in wilting and discoloration of the leaves, and branch dieback. Valsa cankers are most prevalent during periods of high humidity and rain, and trees that are unhealthy and stressed are more prone to valsa cankers. There is no cure for valsa cankers and control measures rely on cultural care. Provide enough water to the tree during periods of drought and ensure the roots have proper drainage.
Immediately remove and destroy branches with cankers from the tree. Prune maple trees in the spring during dry conditions and disinfect pruning shears after each cut.
Armillara Root Rot
Also known as shoestring rot, armillaria root rot results in stunted growth and poor leaf production. Branch dieback and girdling will begin to occur and the life of the maple tree is threatened. Armillara root rot spreads via rhizomorphs, which look similar to black shoestrings and are attached to infected stumps and roots. These rhizomorphs spread throughout the soil and infect stressed or damaged maple trees. Loose bark will reveal white fan-shaped spots underneath and honey-colored mushrooms will grow in clumps at its base. Water stressed trees are susceptible to armillara root rot, so always provide enough water to the maple during periods of drought. No chemicals are available to control or cure this fungal disease. However, you can stop it from spreading by removing and destroying all infected parts of the tree.
Be sure to sterilize the cutting tool after each cut.
Bacterial Wetwood
Also called slime flux, bacterial wetwood is a disease that causes yellowish-brown wood discoloration and foul-smelling slime to ooze out of the bark. The slime can be clear or white and frothy. When the slime dries, it leaves a white or grayish crust on the bark of the maple tree. Sap beetles and flies are a few insects that will feed on the slime, but thankfully, they are not known to spread the bacteria. The bacterium that causes slime flux enters through root and branch wounds. Wetwood infections can be controlled by opening wounds to prevent liquid from building up under the bark. Another option is to drill a hole in the bark and insert a tube to drain the excess liquid and decrease the pressure.
Pests
Several species of annoying insects can appear as white spots on the bark of maple trees. As winter nears, the female maple mealybugs will crawl into crevices in the bark and create a white casing that protects them during the winter.
These white casings can be seen in the bark of the maple tree. Cottony maple scale form egg masses in early summer that are covered in a protective wax covering that looks like spots of white cotton. Dormant horticultural oil applied in early spring will help control mealybugs and scale. Some species of maples, such as sugar maples, can be more sensitive to oils so care must be taken when applying the insecticide.
Writer Bio
Amanda Flanigan began writing professionally in 2007. Flanigan has written for various publications, including WV Living and American Craft Council, and has published several eBooks on craft and garden-related subjects. Flanigan completed two writing courses at Pierpont Community and Technical College.
White maple: tree description
White maple is a deciduous tree from the salind family, belongs to the genus maple. This type of maple is also called false sycamore or sycamore.
Description of white maple
This deciduous tree with a spreading and dense spherical crown reaches 20–40 m in height.
Source: Depositphotos
Maple is an ornamental tree with medicinal properties that are used in folk medicine
Botanical description of the tree:
- Its root is branched, powerful and not taproot. It develops at a depth of 1.5 m.
- The bark of a young maple is gray and smooth, while that of a mature tree becomes rough and peels off, revealing the inner layers, which are colored light brown or pinkish.
- Tree trunk reaches 1 m in girth.
- Opposite, palmate, emerald green leaves with serrated margins. They reach 10–15 cm in length and the same in width. The leaves of some varieties of maple are yellow, orange-pink, purple or crimson.
- Its round, greenish-yellow monoecious flowers are collected in weighty drooping inflorescences 10–20 cm long. Each inflorescence consists of 20–50 flowers 4–7 mm in size, which secrete pollen and nectar. Aromatic honey is made from nectar. Flowering begins in May - June.
- Seeds are round, 5–10 mm in diameter, have wings 2–4 cm long.
A pair of seeds are collected in one lionfish at an angle of 60–90 degrees.
- Seeds ripen in autumn, to be more precise - six months after pollination. Thanks to the wings, they scatter over long distances.
White maple tree: where it grows and is used
Sycamore is popular due to its unpretentiousness and increased growth: it grows up to 80 cm in height and up to half a meter in width in a year. This variety of maple is common in North America, Northern Europe and Iceland.
This slender tree is valued for its white and wear-resistant wood, which is used to create stringed musical instruments: violin, harp, domra, as well as in the furniture industry and for the manufacture of parquet.
This species of maple is also cultivated for ornamental purposes in parks and gardens, and grows equally in ecologically clean areas and in polluted urban areas. Maple belongs to light-loving trees, withstands strong gusts of wind, and is resistant to dirt and salt from winter city roads.
Selection of seedling
The future condition of the tree is influenced by the seedling you have chosen for planting. It is better, of course, to purchase seedlings in a nursery. Some gardeners believe that it is better to choose a seedling that is more than four years old, because it will take root faster. But it is not always the case. For example, in very young plants, the root system can be many times better than in a grown one. This is due to the fact that for nurseries, seedlings are not pulled out manually, but with the help of equipment. Naturally, in the process of digging up the roots of an already grown seedling, they can be more damaged.
What to consider when buying planting material:
- buy a seedling in September-October;
- pay attention to the leaves and roots: they must be in perfect condition.
Growing
This plant loves light and warmth. Therefore, choose a sunny place with fertile soil for planting a young white maple. But a few years after planting, you will need to shade the seedlings, otherwise they will lose their decorative effect.
Source: Depositphotos
Prepare the planting site 2-3 weeks before planting white maple
Dig a 50 x 70 cm planting hole and add a mixture of earth and humus to it. In general, it depends on the variety and type of maple, which fertilizers and in what quantity should be added. So focus on these characteristics. Young trees should be planted at a distance of 2-4 m from each other. But if you want to create a hedge of trees, then reduce the distance to two meters.
Do not bury the plant when planting - the root collar should be at the level of the soil. During irrigation, the earth itself will settle by 15–20 cm. If the groundwater table is low on the site, then pour crushed stone into the planting pit.
Only planted white maple should be watered frequently and abundantly. In hot weather - once a week. The water should soak the ground to 50 cm.
Maintenance
White maple must be cared for as you plant it in your garden for ornamental purposes.
- Water the plant regularly. Abundant watering is a guarantee that the plant will not lose its decorative qualities. In spring and autumn, water the maple tree once a month with 15–20 liters of water. In summer, you need to increase the number to four times. But only planted plants need to be watered with even more water: from 40 liters or more.
- Loosen the soil immediately after watering.
- Remove weed plants.
- Feed the plants once a year. In the first year, you do not need to fertilize, because you have already applied top dressing to the planting hole. But after a year, apply fertilizer: superphosphate, potassium salts or urea.
- Trim dead, damaged or diseased branches.
Properties and recipes
White maple leaves contain substances that can remove excess fluid from the body, improve gallbladder function and quickly heal wounds. They also have antiseptic properties.
You can also simply chew the leaves for 25 minutes. This will help cure stomatitis, gums and pharyngitis. Before this, wash the leaves and chop.
To speed up the healing of wounds, you can make a lotion from the leaves. To do this, rinse the leaves, chop and put the resulting slurry in cheesecloth.
Tincture is good for bronchitis. Take a few leaves, pour 300 ml of water and boil for one minute. Then let the drink cool and strain it. Take 100 ml of medicine before meals. The course lasts 30 days. If it does not help, then take a break for 10 days and continue treatment.
Harvest from spring or autumn: dry the leaves and then store in a cool, dark place.
See also: How to grow home maple at home
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What pleases on the site in winter? Colored bark | Plants
And in winter, the bark of trees and bushes can create amazing effects on a sheet of snow! And landscape designers are making full use of plants with colored bark, so that those who were modest and a background for others in the summer will delight with unusual effects in the winter.
Maples are especially pleasing! Ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo) , depending on the variety, has either greenish or violet bark, with a bluish bloom. The more capricious and heat-loving maples, Pennsylvania and Japanese fan maples, also indulge in shades of green, purple, red-brown, scarlet (especially in the Osakazuki fan maple variety), red-orange (Sangokaku fan maple). The Pennsylvania maple has an olive trunk with white longitudinal stripes.
Sods (Cornus) - also champions of the winter garden: white sod "Sibirika" with coral rods; derain white "Siberian pearl" - with dark red; white "Kesselrings" - with dark purple, the color of elderberries; offspring turf - with light green; and the blood-red "Midwinter fire", "Winter Beauty" - with bright orange, and the young shoots are strontium in color. Bushes withstand the shade, the influence of the root system of other trees.
The silver-gray scale is presented more modestly: mainly poplars (Populus) . Variety of white poplar "Nivea" with a smooth white-gray bark. Balsam poplar with olive-gray bark on young shoots, trembling poplar (aspen) - light gray on young branches, later - green-yellow bark.
Of the shrubs , privet has smooth gray (mouse) bark.
In an array of plants with gray bark, twigs of offspring turf look good, olive thickets European spindle tree (Euonymus europaea) .
You can also plant hazel with bizarre twisted branches (Kontorta variety) there, and in December it will release yellow catkins.
White trunks please birch and arctic blackberry . It is advisable to combine them with turf - for contrast.
Interesting smooth light trunk of plane tree (Platanus) . For the winter, it leaves bizarre fruits on the branches - round prickly balls on long petioles.
Red-brown and copper shades prevail in sakura and bird cherry. And cherries, and plums, and bird cherry are united by the genus Prunus. Maca bird cherry and late bird cherry with red-brown bark.
Plum-sakura "Kanzan" not only has an interesting funnel-shaped crown, but also flaunts bright chestnut bark in horizontal white lines in winter. In spring, it will cover itself with a cloud of terry soft pink flowering. Plum-sakura "Nigra" produces purple young shoots, dark purple leaves. Also, red-brown rods in vesicle purple-leaved "Diabolo" (Phusocarpus) . Next to the blazing blood-red turf bushes, purple twigs won't look too ominous. And if you plant something from berry bushes (cotoneaster, snowberry, wild rose), you get a very elegant composition!
Of the conifers, metasequoia (Metasequoia) has an amazing red-brown bark. This conifer, like larch, sheds needles for the winter. Thermophilic (areal of China). Tolerates prolonged flooding. Its bark exfoliates in vertical narrow strips.
