Dwarf Birch

Betula nana

Betulaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · native

Last updated May 10, 2026

Plant Profile

Size & Form

Height

2–4 ft

Site Requirements

Light

Part Shade

Soil Drainage

Moist

Soil pH

4.5-8.5

Water

Moderate

Hardiness

Zones 2a–8b

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time

late spring

Origin

northern latitudes of Europe and North America

RustHigh

Aecial Stage (Alternate Host)

Wood DecayHigh

Wound Infection Window

Birch leafminerHigh

Adult Emergence

Oystershell scaleHigh

Crawler Emergence

+ 4 more — see full disease and pest lists below

Diseases: Regionally Documented (3)

Multiple genera (Melampsoridium, Thekopsora, Naohidemyces... Rust Multiple Basidiomycete fungi cause wood decay in trees Wood Decay Symptom category — not a single disease Canker

Pests: Regionally Documented (9)

Aphidoidea Aphid Choreutis pariana Apple-and-thorn skeletonizer Fenusa pusilla Birch leafminer Agrilus anxius Bronze birch borer Prionoxystus robiniae Carpenterworm Hyphantria cunea Fall webworm Lepidosaphes ulmi Oystershell scale Symphyta Sawfly Malacosoma spp. Tent caterpillar

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.