Water Birch, Western Birch (Betula occidentalis)
Water Birch is a native tree that grows along Utah's rivers and streams. Usually of multi-stem habit, the numerous trunks are a beautiful cinnamon brown. As a young plant its habit is upright, but the weight of leaves and catkins pulls the slender branches into pendulous curtains of foliage. Water birch is less susceptible to borers than its white-barked cousins but will still succumb under stresses of hot, dry conditions. This birch requires some maintenance if one wishes to keep the multiple trunks free from young suckers.