Birch and Aspen - Some Differences in the Bark

[@snappa222]

Lonnie,another interesting video.I have always enjoyed watching Quaking Aspen leaves fluttering in the breeze esp. within a grove,thanks for posting,Bruce

[@Skinnymoose]

Another good way to tell the difference (at least in AK) is look at the upper branches. The Birch branches are more numerous, thinner, straighter and tend to point upwards. The Aspen on the other hand have far less branches and they are more twisted looking. If you look at the tops of the respective trees side by side there is a huge difference. So much so that you can tell the difference just by looking at the tops (when that`s all you can see) from a great distance. I`m sure you are aware of this but I just thought I`d throw it out there for someone who isn`t. Thanks for all your great videos.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+Skinny Moose At first glance one might think that they are hard to tell apart but you are right. There are quite a few differences once you learn the trees and what to notice.

[@NJHeart2Heart]

Thanks for commenting on this. I'm doing research on the differences, and although the video helped, I was wondering about the branches, which on the two examples I found. were very different in shape. I also noticed that the birch tree still had small conical buds on them in November here in New Jersey. What I believe was an aspen had no buds at all.

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

aspen crown color is lighter; Birch is dark red crown

[@Forrestbreathertribe]

I love 1:18 where the mountain comes into view in the background! So beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Forrestbreathertribe Glad you enjoyed the view. We are truly blessed to live where we do.

[@8626John]

Thanks! We have lots of aspen trees around here, but not many birch. There are birch trees up north of me, and now I have a better idea of what to look for. Love birch bark for starting fires.

[@robe1kanobe]

Thanks for the explanation it really helped with the identification on the aspen side which is what I was having trouble with.

[@steintanz]

It was amazing for me to see all those aspen trees when I was in the Yukon. In Europe's north nature looks very similar, but all the white trees are birch here!

[@user-co4xl7wx3q]

As always, a very helpful guide. Hope you are doing well Lonnie!

[@Flashahol]

I got used to white Birch trees that peel like crazy but now I know better! I'll have to go inspect those trees I thought might be Aspens now.... Thanks for sending me back to the trail with a goal!

[@SongOfWhiteWolf]

WOW! I just learned something new! I live next to a duck pond and have never really looked at the trees. I knew they weren't Birch so didn't pay any attention to them. I was just now standing outside enjoying the first day of sunshine in a month and right in front of me was the "A" shape of the Aspen! See, you can teach and old dog a new trick! Thank you! :0)

[@MsHojat]

You can tell it's a Birch because of the way it is.

[@konayo321]

just my two cents but growing up i always remembered Aspen because like you showed it has the deep triangle coming off the branches which makes and "A" shape and A standing for aspen ...

[@TheKristenGibson]

That's great! That kind of stuff is how I remember. I appreciate that!

[@joybickerstaff194]

Hi ya Lonnie! We have white skin trees, I always thought they were birch, I will get a closer look, see if there is an A in the bark, I’ve seen aspen n Colorado, didn’t think they’d be n Oklahoma, I’ll check it out. U showed 2 birch trees with different types of bark, i thought birch always had white bark, well I learned something new today. Thank u

[@cslr11]

anouther great vid watching you vids is like reading a great book that is just full of good info .

[@inquisitivewolf]

Great video and explanations.

[@MrJoeyBoombotz]

Lonnie, Thank you again for an informative video. I am new-be compared to you. What are the differences in how they can be used, the kinds of fungi they get, the types of animals/birds they attract. Can Aspen be tapped like Birch for water? Are there any upsides/downsides for using it as firewood or other things?

[@supergeodotca]

The color of the bark and the ability to peel birch bark is the most obvious and simple. A blind person can recognize the difference using the peel ability and feel of the bark.

[@tony972333]

Thanks for these tree identification tips

[@adarkerlight]

Lonnie, we need to get you look into the camera and say lines like "Mr. Anderson!" and "That is the sound of inevitability", hehe. This video is fantastic. Watched it for the reasons it exists (tell apart the two trees) but strangely, I find this video to be very ASMR-ish. You have a good voice, and just the sounds of the leaves crunching and your slow and deliberate pointing out objects make my head tingle. Hope that's not weird, it can't be helped lol. Thanks for the vid!

[@MyDadWorksAtMarcs]

the lines are called lenticels

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

one of many raised pores in the stem of a woody plant that allows gas exchange between the atmosphere and the internal tissues.

[@nicywicy]

Thank you very much for making this!

[@joe2trees]

I see what you mean. Even here I sometimes have to take a double take. its not always so clear especially in winter. I bet your glad the snow is finally gone ! Are you planning any fishing trips ? I caught a burbot in the fortymile once and it was excellent ! As were the grayling ! Good luck with the bears too . Stay alert !

[@1fanger]

Hey Lonnie, I looked in the comments section and couldn`t find any reply but, the longitudinal lines in the birch bark are called lenticels. Kind of distinctive considering, most hardwoods have vertical bark furrows. My 2 cents! Here in NE Pennsy, they call the aspens cottonwood. That wood here is considered worthless. I kind of like the fluttering leaves if the trees aren`t in my way.

[@richregan8911]

I enjoyed the video. You videos are really helping me to enjoy the area. I am on the Kenai Peninsula and I have been trying to learn how to identify the aspens, birch and cottonwoods. Any tips to identify the cottonwoods?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+Flapjack To be honest with you, I have a difficult time telling the difference between poplars and cottonwoods myself but do not worry about it much since both trees are very closely related and can be used for the same things utility wise as well as food and medicine. The aspens will typically often have a white powder on the bark and cottonwood poplar and birch do not. It is easy to tell the difference during the summer between the aspen and poplars since all you have to do is look at the leaves. The Aspens have a flat stemmed leave which allows them to flutter in the slightest breezes hence the name quaking aspen. It is easy for me to tell the differences between birch and aspen during the winter but is harder to explain those differences.

[@joybickerstaff194]

Far North Bushcraft And Survival Hi ya Lonnie! Cottonwood trees are ones I definitely know! U say cottonwood and poplar r closely related, I don’t know poplar trees or if the produce cotton, but cottonwood tress do, maybe this will help u tell the difference between the two, that is unless poplar produces cotton as well

[@joybickerstaff194]

Far North Bushcraft And Survival Hi ya Lonnie! Cottonwood trees are ones I definitely know! U say cottonwood and poplar r closely related, I don’t know poplar trees or if the produce cotton, but cottonwood tress do, maybe this will help u tell the difference between the two, that is unless poplar produces cotton as well

[@mooseyou2]

thank you for the informative video

[@rappman3taken]

Any experience regarding hand drill friction fire using one or the other for the Hearth, or fire board?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

rappman3taken I have used birch *punk* wood for the hand drill hearth along with elderberry stem for the spindle. Birch is probably too hard to use as is for any friction fire. Birch *punk* wood however is often great as a hearth for bow and drill or eskimo strap drill. If interested you could see my video called Friction Fire Using Punk Wood Hearth

[@virginiacopeland108]

Thanks for the tip. Clark

[@Zippy1one]

Thanks for posting

[@escapematrixenterprisejacq7810]

Mine is not a paper birch nor it seems aspen..but its white bark and the branches some droop down small leaves and lots of black marks

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I have no idea where you live or the local flora that exists there. I also probably am not familiar with teh tree that you are describing since we most likely do not have that tree species in Alaska. By going to the nearest bookstore, you may be able to buy a book that covers your local flora and may help to identify the tree you are asking about. You may also be able to go to the nearest public library and check out suitable flora identification books

[@Turin-Fett]

White willows have a similar white, peeling bark. Though a willow has branches that may curve up or straight out and its long flexible twigs that droop straight down.

[@l_e3eau]

I’m curious about the legend of the Thunderbird and the Aspen..

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I have never been able to find any more info on that subject.

[@l_e3eau]

@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival So happens after I left my comment, I was able to find the legend of the boy who sought feathers for his arrows, and tricked the great Thunderbird by transforming himself into a rabbit. Legend goes the Thunderbird caught him and flew him to it’s nest to offer to it’s young, however when the Thunderbird flew away the boy transformed back into human form and plucked the feathers from the younglings before escaping. The Thunderbird returned shortly after and in rage from what had transpired, hunted the boy through the Aspen’s leaving it’s mark (Mark of the Thunderbird) on the trees as a cautionary reminder of what the boy had done and for those who would try again. There’s more to the story but that’s the short version.

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

@@l_e3eau awesome story of the Aspen and Thunderbird. thanks

[@lazynut81]

I just want to know a names of those who doesn't get a difference aspen or birch.

[@tumstermom]

Thank you!

[@vermontaviator1248]

Also White Birch sheds, Aspen does not.

[@MinecraftFanHi2012]

Bigfoot! jk