Management of birch for wildlife habitat

Abstract

The list of wildlife species known to prefer paper birch and yellow birch as food ls a long one. To mention a few: beavers and porcupines chew on the bark and wood; sapsuckers feed on the sap; other songbirds—notably the redpoll, pine siskin, and chikadee—relish the seeds; ruffed grouse eat the catkins, buds, and seeds (in northern Maine and Canada this bird is often called the "birch partridge"); and snowshoe hare, moose, and whitetail deer browse on the twigs. At least 24 different kinds of animals are known to feed on birches.

Parent Publication

• Birch symposium proceedings

Citation

Shaw, Samuel P. 1969. Management of birch for wildlife habitat. In: Doolittle, W.T.; Bruns, P.E., comps. 1969. Birch symposium proceedings; 1969 August 19-21; Durham, NH. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station: 181-183.