Birch or Aspen? Two Simple Ways to Tell Them Apart
- Apr 12, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 7
How one mosquito-filled hike cleared up a lifetime of confusion.
I thought I knew my trees.
After all, I’ve painted birch trees for decades—white trunks, dark knots, papery bark. A Michigan trademark, right?
But on my first-ever trip to Colorado, standing among a sea of slender white trunks in the Pikesview Reservoir woods, I found myself wondering:
Birch or aspen?
The leaves quivered in the mountain breeze. The light shimmered.
And I—it turns out—wasn’t so sure.
As mosquitoes feasted on my legs and no-see-ums buzzed my ears, I decided to solve the mystery once and for all.
Slapping and shooing the buzzing bugs, I pressed on.
🌳 Birch vs. Aspen: The Quick-Glance Guide
1. Bark Texture
Birch – Craggy, rough, and peels away in thin, papery layers.
Aspen – Smooth to the touch, more uniform, often with dark “eye” markings.
2. Leaf Shape
Birch – Shaped like a sharp “V,” with toothed edges and a pointed tip.
Aspen – Rounded and heart-shaped, fluttering easily in the slightest wind.
By the time I’d figured it out, my legs were covered in pink welts, and my tongue felt like sandpaper from the antihistamine I’d swallowed.
Next time, this non-camping gal will stay bug-free and let the internet do the field research.
Still, I’m glad I wandered into that forest. Because here’s what I learned later, from the comfort of air conditioning:
Birch and aspen trees often grow side-by-side—from Alaska through the Rockies and all the way to Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Both shimmer gold in fall, both symbolize resilience, and both have found their way into my art.
And I'm thrilled my collectors love them not just in their natural yellows—but in soft blues, peaceful greens, and energizing reds.
So, whether it’s birch or aspen, the secret is the same:
Pay attention.
Nature’s beauty is always in the details.
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