Where to get yellow/silver birches?

[Charles Woodapple]

Hello folks,

Can anyone point me out to a tree farm or a tree site that grows and ships yellow birch trees (or silver as a second option)?

Should I look for "tree farms" in this circumstance or forests around the US known for the yellow birches population?

Thank you in advance and have a good Monday

 

[ATH]

I'd look at the native range map. Don't work the fringes of that too much... Then I'd call a few of the private landowner assistance program foresters in each state to ask them for ideas. You could also try a few small logging companies or sawmills, but those tend to be hard to find without local knowledge. Again....the "Service Foresters" (that is what they are called in Ohio, other states have different names) will be able to help.

I used to be a Service Forester...we'd periodically get this type of random call. Some see them as an annoyance - I always enjoyed the break from the usual!

I think finding the logs will be easy - heck, the right landowner will give them to you as they are cutting birch to make room for oaks. We don't have Yellow or Silver birch around there or I'd probably be able to hook you up. Getting them shipped will be the challenge.

NY: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5230.html
PA: http://www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/forestry/yourwoods/serviceforesters/index.htm
WI: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestlandowners/dnrforesters.html
MI: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79136_79237_80945_81361---,00.html
MN: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/woodlands/cfm-map.html

Another source of contacts would be the Extension offices.

 

[ATH]

Oh...one more thought - contact the Universities offering a forestry degree. Many own land for research and/or education and may be willing to work with a fellow researcher. I might suggest the same of the USFS Experimental forests...but that is probably a 3 year process by the time they update their plan to habvest 27 birch logs, get an environmental impact statement, get sued over it, etc... The folks on the ground would be more than willing to help - they just have miles of more than typical federal gvt red tape to deal with if they want to accomplish anything!

Some State Forests will be more flexible than others...so that may be another option.

 

[Charles Woodapple]

Hello ATH,
Your help is yet again, very much on point and appreciated. The one source I had let me down. So I do need as much insight as you've given me. Thank you again for sharing.
I gathered that it was too small of a number for the bulky business log selling is. But usually, in research not much wood is needed.
I will try your option, and if you do have a contact, please do hook me up. I'm currently compiling what I can find and will soon start running inquiries again.

Thank you again ATH!

 

[maplegrovetom]

Hello ATH,
Your help is yet again, very much on point and appreciated. The one source I had let me down. So I do need as much insight as you've given me. Thank you again for sharing.
I gathered that it was too small of a number for the bulky business log selling is. But usually, in research not much wood is needed.
I will try your option, and if you do have a contact, please do hook me up. I'm currently compiling what I can find and will soon start running inquiries again.

Thank you again ATH!

I know of two suppliers in Michigan that grow and sell them. Alphanurseries.com in Holland Mi. and Coldstreamfarm.net in Freesoil Mi. They should both be able to help you out if you are looking for betula alleghaniensis. We call it yellow birch in Michigan.

 

[Charles Woodapple]

I know of two suppliers in Michigan that grow and sell them. Alphanurseries.com in Holland Mi. and Coldstreamfarm.net in Freesoil Mi. They should both be able to help you out if you are looking for betula alleghaniensis. We call it yellow birch in Michigan.

Thanks, Maplegrovetom. I checked the website and correct me if I'm wrong, but they don't sell grown trees. They sell seedlings and growing ones, no?

 

[ATH]

After reading his post I went back and read your original and thought maybe you did want seedlings.

I just remembered logs from previous conversations. Maybe a quick edit of the original question with size specifications might help.

 

[maplegrovetom]

Thanks, Maplegrovetom. I checked the website and correct me if I'm wrong, but they don't sell grown trees. They sell seedlings and growing ones, no?

From the original post I was under the impression you were looking for trees to plant. I now understand you are looking for logs.
Yellow birch is common in northern Michigan and other great lake states. I don't know where you live, but Michigan is full of loggers that would be happy to sell you anything from a pick-up to a semi load of it.