Sweet Birch, also called black or cherry birch, has dark, non-peeling bark that smells strongly of wintergreen due to methyl salicylate in the tissues. It grows on rocky slopes and upland forests of the Appalachians and New England. It was historically the primary source of natural wintergreen oil before synthetic production took over.
Best time to see a Sweet Birch
The best time to see a Sweet Birch is February–July, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 7,617 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Sweet Birch? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Sweet Birch sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Sweet Birch?
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.