Prairie Dream® Paper Birch Tree
Betula papyrifera 'Varen'
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Prairie Dream® Paper Birch Tree is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150+ | $24.99 |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Prairie Dream® Paper Birch Tree highlights at a glance!
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Plant Class
-
Botanical Name
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Brand
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Growing Zones2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
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Growth RateFast
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Mature Height
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Mature Width
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Fall Color
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NativeYes
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
Characteristics
Where To Plant
When To Prune
- Late Winter
Water & Moisture Needs
- Moderate
Sunlight Needs
Soil Needs
- Widely Adaptable

Growing Zones 2-7
A Paper Birch with endless ornamental charm! Meet the Prairie Dream® Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera 'Varen'), the tree that truly lives up to its name. From its smooth, snow-white bark to its glowing golden-yellow fall foliage, this Birch makes every landscape look like a dream come true.
This cold-hardy beauty thrives in USDA zones 2 through 7 and grows just as well in single or multi-trunk form, and trust us, the more trunks, the merrier! Each elegant stem shows off that iconic white, exfoliating bark that stands out all year long. Spring brings lovely catkins that dance in the breeze, followed by delicate papery seedpods for extra texture and movement. Even in winter, that pristine bark shines bright against the snow, adding winter interest and four seasons of beauty to your yard.
>>Jump to Planting & Care Instructions
Key Benefits:
- Snow-white exfoliating bark provides year-round visual appeal
- Golden-yellow fall foliage glows in autumn landscapes
- Cold-hardy native tree thrives in northern climates (zones 2–7)
- Multi-trunk form adds texture and movement to the landscape
- Graceful catkins and seedpods offer natural motion and seasonal charm
- Bird-friendly and pollinator-attracting features add wildlife value
Landscape Application:
Plant your Prairie Dream® where it can really shine! Its white bark pops dramatically when placed near dark evergreens, creating striking contrast. Growing 40–50 feet tall and 30–40 feet wide, this Birch offers dappled light perfect for cooling your lawn or shading a cozy seating nook. Use it as a specimen tree or foundation plant, or plant in odd-numbered groupings for a natural woodland effect. This native North American tree also makes a beautiful street tree or accent along driveways and walkways.
- Excellent specimen tree for dramatic contrast
- Beautiful foundation or lawn tree for balanced shade
- Ideal for groupings or woodland designs
- Perfect accent tree along driveways or walkways
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Give your Prairie Dream® Paper Birch full sun to partial shade, especially afternoon shade in hotter climates. It prefers well-drained soil and steady moisture, just don’t let it dry out completely. A 3–4 inch layer of Arborist mulch helps keep the roots cool and hydrated.
Like Maples, Birch trees have sap that runs in spring, so hold off pruning until after flowering to remove crossing branches or winter dieback. Learn more about pruning trees the right way to maintain their shape and health.
- Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Soil: Well-Drained
- Water: Moderate, Consistent Moisture
- Mulch: 3–4 Inches Deep Around Root Zone
- Prune: After Flowering in Late Spring
With brilliant bark, golden fall color, and year-round grace, Prairie Dream® Paper Birch adds elegance and movement to any native landscape. Order yours today from Nature Hills Nursery and enjoy a living work of art in your garden!
Single Stem, Multi Stem, Shrub Form, Oh My!
Before you buy, make sure you know what you’re getting! Single-stem, multi-stem, and shrub forms are different so read a bit about which we’re currently offering below.
Single Stem:
These are plants that have one stem coming from the ground. Plants can also be considered single stems when lower branches are removed to raise the height of the branching. Sometimes, you will hear a single stem referred to as Tree Form.
Multi Stem:
These are plants with 2 or more stems planted together in the ground in close proximity to form a clump. There are times when multi-stems are formed by a tree that branches at the soil line with more than one main stem.
Shrub Form:
These are bushy plants with many stems and branches close to the ground. They are referred to as shrubs or bushes and are often shorter than their tree forms.


