November 29, 2025

The male catkins (or male flowers) of Black Birch (Betula lenta) form in the late summer and early autumn, overwintering in a dormant state. When spring arrives these catkins lengthen to 3/4 – 1 inch, and mature to release pollen to the wind. Black Birch is a monoecious tree, having both male and female catkins on the same tree.

Once the female catkins are pollinated they develop into cone-like structures, first green, turning brown in autumn. They contain small, winged seeds maturing during the warm months of summer and are released in late summer.

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