River Birch
(Betula nigra)
River Birch (Betula nigra)
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Jonathan Layman
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Jonathan Layman
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Jonathan Layman | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Jonathan Layman | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-05-30T08:48:42-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Betula nigra, commonly known as River Birch, is a deciduous tree native to the forests and plains of Eastern and Central USA. It typically grows to a height of 25–30 meters (80–100 ft) with a trunk diameter of 50 to 150 centimeters (20 to 60 in). The base of the tree often divides into multiple slender trunks. The bark of the River Birch is distinctive, changing from salmon-pink to brown-gray in its youth, and maturing to a reddish-brown with a dark grey base. The bark peels off in thin, curling layers, adding to its ornamental appeal. Though it naturally thrives in wet ground, it can also grow on higher land.
River Birch is a popular choice for landscape use due to its unique bark and adaptability to various soil conditions. It is often used in urban planting and as a specimen tree in large gardens. Cultivars like ’Heritage’ and ’Dura Heat’ have been selected for their whiter bark and resistance to the bronze birch borer. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade, requires high amounts of water, and can tolerate soils with fast, medium, or slow drainage.CC BY-SA 4.0
River Birch is a popular choice for landscape use due to its unique bark and adaptability to various soil conditions. It is often used in urban planting and as a specimen tree in large gardens. Cultivars like ’Heritage’ and ’Dura Heat’ have been selected for their whiter bark and resistance to the bronze birch borer. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade, requires high amounts of water, and can tolerate soils with fast, medium, or slow drainage.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 60-80 feet
- Width: 40-60 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Floodplains and swamps, growing along stream sides or in poorly drained soils
Other Names
Common Names: Red Birch , Svartbjörk , Black Birch , Water Birch
Scientific Names: Betula nigra , Betula rubra , Betula americana , Betula lanulosa , Betula nigra subsp. pendula , Betula nigra var. parviflora , Betula nigra var. parvifolia , Betula rupestris
GBIF Accepted Name: Betula nigra L.