Water Birch Betula nigra 'Shiloh Splash' (PP16,362)
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Water Birch:
- Phonetic Spelling
- BET-yoo-luh NY-gruh
- Description
-
Betula is Latin for birch and describes a genus of about 60 species of deciduous trees and shrubs found in many gardens and landscapes throughout the northern hemisphere. Betula nigra 'Shiloh Splash", a cultivar of Betula nigra, is a deciduous, variegated, flowering tree with papery, tan, and peach bark and green leaves that appear to have had their margins dunked in creamy-white paint. Tiny monoecious (male and female) flowers appear in early spring in separate catkins on the same tree. Greenish female flowers are followed by drooping cone-like fruits containing numerous small winged seeds that typically mature in late summer.
Discovered by John and Danny Allen at Shiloh Nursery, ‘Shiloh Splash’ River Birch has can be used as a shrub or small tree in the landscape. This native river birch is one of the most popular trees for southern nurseries and landscapes. It is used extensively due to its attractive ornamental features and excellent adaptability. Well mannered, Shiloh Splash will grow to be about 10-15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8-10 feet (as opposed to the 80-foot height sometimes reached by Betula nigra). 'Shiloh Splash' River Birch has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground. Propagation studies found that this cultivar roots readily from terminal, softwood cuttings (taken in mid-July) with optimal treatments consisting of basal dips of 2,000 – 4,000 ppm of either KIBA or IBA in 50% isopropyl alcohol. This cultivar can be expected to live up to 70 years.
River Birch prefers wet sites and does best in moist, acidic, sandy, or rocky, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. The best foliage color occurs in full sun. River birch is perhaps the most culturally adaptable and heat tolerant of the birches. This species has been known to tolerate flooded conditions for extended periods of time. For this reason, it is naturally found in riverbanks, streambanks, and floodplains. In the landscape, keep the tree consistently moist and consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist. It needs little pruning, but if necessary, you can prune during the dormant season. Do not prune in winter or spring when the sap is running because it will bleed. It tends to drop lots of twigs, making it better suited for less manicured areas of the landscape.
Insects, Diseases and Other Problems: One of the only birch species with resistance to bronze birch borer. Aphids, leaf miner and birch skeletonizer may occur. Watch for leaf spot problems. Susceptible to chlorosis in alkaline soils.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Shiloh Splash'
- 'Shiloh Splash'
- 'Shiloh Splash'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Shiloh Splash'
- 'Shiloh Splash'
- 'Shiloh Splash'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Betula
- Species:
- nigra
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The leaves of Betula nigra were chewed or used as an infusion in the treatment of dysentery. An infusion of the bark was used to treat stomach problems and difficult urination. Twigs were chewed or rubbed on teeth and gums for dental hygiene. River birch sap can be fermented to make birch beer or vinegar. The wood is used to manufacturer inexpensive furniture and other woodenware.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and Eastern United States
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- The seeds are eaten by birds. Birds and squirrels eat the male catkins in late winter/early springtime.
- Play Value:
- Wind Break
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This tree is resistant to damage by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Open
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Aggregate
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Cone-like aggregate fruit which contains 3 tiny seeds.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Insignificant
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Inconspicuous. Monoecious flowers appear in drooping, brownish male catkins and smaller, upright, greenish female catkins April-May.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Deltoid
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Enticingly variegated, alternate, simple, medium to dark green leaves with irregular white margins (1.5-3.5" long) with doubly toothed margins turn bright yellow in fall. Some shoots occasionally revert back to a uniform green color and need to be removed.
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Orange
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Papery
- Peeling
- Ridges
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Provides winter interest in the landscape. Smooth on young trees, peach to tan-colored, develops papery scales. As the tree ages, bark divides into flat, scaly ridges. The bark peels away year-round.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Messy