Betula nigra

Common Names

River Birch, Red Birch, Water Birch, Black Birch

Summary

River Birch is a native eastern United States deciduous tree typically reaching 40–70 ft tall and 30–50 ft wide, often multi-stemmed with an upright to pyramidal or open crown, it features exfoliating bark that peels in pinkish to cinnamon sheets to reveal lighter inner bark, and drooping branches add year-round visual interest, leaves are alternate, simple, 1–3 inches long with doubly serrate margins, dark green on top and pale beneath, turning yellow in autumn, it is monoecious, with showy male catkins appearing in late spring to fall and greenish, non-showy female catkins later that form brown winged nutlets, River Birch commonly grows along streams and floodplains, tolerating moist soils and providing rapid growth and ornamental bark, Cultivation favors full sun to partial shade and moist, acidic soils, with tolerance for clay, loam, and sand, wet soils and occasional flooding are tolerated, and drought tolerance increases after establishment, It thrives in USDA zones 4–9 and is relatively low maintenance, resistant to bronze birch borer, though possible aphids, leaf miners, and leaf spots, iron chlorosis can occur on high‑pH soils, Practical practices include regular deep watering during establishment, mulching to conserve moisture, and pruning after leaves have expanded in spring to mid‑summer to avoid sap bleed or after leaves shed in fall, Landscape uses include specimen or group plantings, buffers, erosion control along streams, rain gardens, and wildlife habitat, notable cultivars include Heritage, Dura‑Heat, Fox Valley (Little King), Shiloh Splash, and Summer Cascade

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

480-840 inches

Spread

30-50 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun, can range to partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained, acidic soil

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil pH

Acidic soil (low pH), About 4.0-6.5 pH, Iron chlorosis may occur at neutral or higher pH

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green that turns yellow in fall.

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast-growing.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Stump sprouting, Grafting

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, butterflies