River Birch Betula nigra 'Shiloh Splash'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called River Birch:
- Phonetic Spelling
- BET-yoo-luh NY-gruh
- Description
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River birch 'Shiloh Splash’ is a cultivar of Betula nigra discovered by John and Danny Allen at Shiloh Nursery. It is a woody, deciduous, flowering tree in the Betulaceae (birch) family.
This cultivar prefers full sun to partial shade and occasionally wet, acidic soils with good drainage. The best foliage color—variegated green leaves that appear to have had their margins dunked in creamy-white paint—occurs in full sun. Mulch with bark to keep the root zone 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. Propagation studies found that this cultivar roots readily from terminal, softwood stem cuttings taken in mid-July.
‘Shiloh Splash’ river birch can be used as a shrub or small tree in the landscape. It will grow to be about 10 to 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 to 10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground. It is wind and deer resistant. This cultivar can be expected to live up to 70 years.
Given its size, it is excellent as a specimen tree in a lawn or small space. Its papery, tan and peach bark provides interest for a winter garden. It attracts butterflies and songbirds so consider adding ‘Shiloh Splash’ to butterfly, pollinator, and children’s gardens. It is also at home in a rain garden, as well as quite wind resistant.
Patent number: PP16,362
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:
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- 'Shiloh Splash'
- 'Shiloh Splash'
- 'Shiloh Splash'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Shiloh Splash'
- 'Shiloh Splash'
- 'Shiloh Splash'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Betula
- Species:
- nigra
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The leaves of 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
- 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 bronze birch borer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Open
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Good Drainage
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Riparian
- 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
- Wind
- Problems:
- Messy
