Betula nigra Betula nigra
Common Name(s):
- River Birch
- Description
The Betula nigra tree is a deciduous tree that may grow 60 to 80 feet tall. The leaves are alternate with doubly toothed margins. The bark of young trees is reddish brown with a papery appearance. Light green, 2 to 3 inch slim, cylindrical flowers mature in mid-spring. The tree produces a cone-like aggregate which contains 3 tiny seeds. The River Birch has graceful branches, is easy to transplant, is heat tolerant and moderately salt tolerant. This tree may drop some leaves during dry weather. The River Birch has cinnamon brown, exfoliating bark. It does best in moist, wet soil. It shows stress during hot months in well-drained soils. This species has been known to tolerate flooded conditions for extended periods of time.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Spring Bark: Winter
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: River birch prefers wet sites so if you have a well-drained yard you will have yellow leaves falling during summer droughts and dry periods. Pruning should not be done in the spring due to sap "bleeds".
- Cultivars:
-
- 'Duraheat'
- 'Heritage'
- 'Little King Fox Valley'
dwarf - 'Shiloh Splash'
variegated foliage - 'Summer Cascade'
weeping
- 'Duraheat'
- Tags:
- Cultivars:
-
- 'Duraheat'
- 'Heritage'
- 'Little King Fox Valley'
dwarf - 'Shiloh Splash'
variegated foliage - 'Summer Cascade'
weeping
- 'Duraheat'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Betula
- Species:
- nigra
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Fuel, inexpensive furniture, basket hoops, artificial limbs, and toys are made from the wood.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Distribution:
- VT south to FL west to TX north through OK, NE, MI, IO, and MN
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Host plant for Mourning Cloak and Dreamy Duskywing butterflies. Young twigs, buds, and foliage browsed by white-tailed deer. Seeds consumed by grouse, turkey, small birds and rodents. Birds and squirrels eat the male catkins in late winter/early spring.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Enhancement
- Wind Screen
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- fire in the landscape.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Open
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full Sun (Direct sunlight 8+ hours a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight (2-4 hrs) for only part of the day
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
-
-
Flower:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The River Birch has light green, 2" to 3" slim, cylindrical flowers and fruiting catkins.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaf of the River Birch is 2- to 3.5-inches. It is an alternate, simple leaf with modest yellow fall color.
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-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Orange
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Papery
- Ridges
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Smooth on young trees salmon to rust colored developing papery scales. As the tree ages, bark divides into flat, scaly ridges.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Wet Soil
- Wind
- Similar plants:
-
Phlox subulata
-
Aronia arbutifolia
-
Cornus florida
