River Birch

Betula nigra

Height: 40-60’
Width: 35-50’
Hardiness Zone: 3b
Exposure: sun or partial shade
Origin: Massachusetts south to Florida, west to Minnesota and Kansas

Description:

Oval headed tree growing more round with maturity when in open landscape. Attractive when grown as multi-stemmed tree. Exfoliating bark of branches and trunk exposing the reddish-brown or cinnamon-brown color on younger trees is the feature attraction encouraging its use in the landscape. Old bark on mature trees becomes darker brown or gray and ridged or scaly. Lustrous green leaves turn light yellow in fall.

Site and Cultural Requirements:

Tree is best adapted to moist somewhat acid soils where it is found in natural settings. Is tolerant of dryer soils that are well drained, but will suffer wilt and leaf drop in drought conditions. May develop chlorosis on high pH soils.

Insect/Disease Issues:

More insect resistant than common white-barked birch species, but some leaf spot fungi and aphid damage may occur. Birch leaf miner is reported in some areas.

Cultivars:

Heritage® (‘Cully’) -A vigorous selection with almost white bark on young trunks gradually turning salmon-brown as the paper-thin bark flakes off. This selection has the most colorful bark of selections.

Fox Valley™ (‘Little King’) -Dense compact rounded growth havit with glossy foliage. Grows 10” high and equal width in 15 years. Exfoliating bark is colorful in winter. Useful as a large shrub hedge.

(center right), foliage and flowers (right bottom) of B. nigra Heritage^TM
and plant form of B. nigra Fox Valley^TM (left center)

 

We thank the Landscape Plant Development Center and NLA for the botanical information and photos.

 

Open 9:00 AM until Sunset
Closed Mondays, open holidays
Phone: (515)-992-4211
Email: info@thebrentonarboretum.org