Cox, Paul
Betula nigra L.
River birch, Red birch
Betulaceae (Birch Family)
The gracefully branched river birch is a 30-50 ft., usually multi-trunked
tree which can reach 90 ft. in height. Often slightly leaning and forked
tree with irregular, spreading crown. A spreading crown of several large, ascending limbs support slightly weeping branches. The tree’s selling point is its satiny, silver
bark that peels to reveal a cinnamon-brown trunk beneath. Fall foliage is yellow but seldom effective.
This is the southernmost New World birch and the only birch that occurs at low altitudes in the southeastern United States. Its ability to thrive on moist sites makes it useful for erosion control.
Image Gallery:
11 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Tree Leaf Complexity: Simple Breeding System: Flowers
Unisexual ,
Monoecious Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Tan brown
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Native Distribution: N. FL to scattered New England localities, w. to e. TX & s.e. MN
Native Habitat: Swamps, Flood plains, bottomland, Ditches, Ravines, Depressions, Stream, river banks
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Sandy, moist soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Acid-based
Conditions Comments: River birch is fast growing and long-lived and is probably our most trouble-free birch. Do not prune until summer when the
sap has stopped flowing. Well-suited to areas that are periodically wet. Develops iron chlorosis on high pH soils. Chlorosis is more often due, however, to dryness. Trees is dry situations may defoliate, languish and die.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Attractive, Fall conspicuous, Fast growing
Use Wildlife: Seeds-granivorous birds, Browse, Seeds-Small mammals
Attracts: Birds
Last Update: 2012-10-15
