Dakota Pinnacle® Asian White Birch -- Betula platyphylla ‘Fargo'
RFM-19
Dense columnar growth habit
Beautiful golden yellow full color
Appearance in winter
Description
A selection made from an open-pollinated seedling population grown from seed harvested from the birch collection in the NDSU Research Arboretum, Absaraka, ND. The most striking feature is its columnar to narrowly pyramidal growth habit. The bark color passes through a transitional phase from grayish-orange on 3-year-old stems, orange-white on 6-year-old stems to yellow-white on mature trunks. The bark is slightly exfoliating when mature. The dark green quality foliage is retained until late autumn. ‘Fargo’ has been shown to be well adapted in Fargo, ND (USDA hardiness zone 4a), Mandan, ND (zone 3b), St. Paul, MN (zone 4a) and central Saskatchewan, Canada (zone 3a). It is tolerant to drought, heat and strong winds, as well as to heavy clay soil with fairly high pH. Evaluations indicate ‘Fargo’ has more than average tolerance to the bronze birch borer. It is recommended that trees be mulched and supplementary water supplied in stressful sites. It reaches semi-mature height of 35 to 40 feet in 25 to 30 years. Available in commercial nursery trade.
Potential Uses or Applications
Nursery stock, specimen landscape tree
Development Stage
Plant propagation material can be obtained from NDSU Plant Sciences Department or trees from licensed nursery subject to availability.
Patent Status
U.S. Trademark registered – Dakota Pinnacle®
U.S. Plant Patent No. 10,963
Canadian Trademark registered
Licensing Status
This cultivar is available for non-exclusive licensing.