H. E. Grelen. The bark peels in a manner of thin curly sheets. River birch (Betula nigra) is a fast-growing, shade tree native to the Mississippi River flood plain in southeastern Minnesota.It is popular for its ornamental peeling bark. Sweet birch (Betula lenta) has dark-colored bark. The “National Audubon Society Field Guide to Trees” describes river birch leaves as being “nearly four-sided;” their irregular shape somewhat resembling that of a diamond. Birch can be found in larger numbers in cool damp woods and forests were the ground does not dry out for most of the year. river birch Betula nigra. For graduate student information, contact Dr. Doug Archbold at 859-257-3352, or darchbol@uky.edu, River Birch - Betula nigraBirch Family (Betulaceae). Introduction: River birch, the only semi-aquatic tree among Betulaceae, is the most widely distributed birch in the United States and the best one for hot climates. Pests Bronze birch borer is a … Several Seasons of Color From One Tough Tree Why Dura Heat® River Birch Trees? It normally grows with a central leader and small-diameter, dark-colored lateral branches. River birch (Betula nigra) is an adaptable tree growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 through 9. Its attractive bark is especially striking in the winter when the rest of the tree is bare. Learn about several members of this species that you may want to grow if you value beautiful, versatile trees. Secondary Names: red birch Leaf Type: Deciduous Texas Native: Firewise: Tree Description: Usually a medium-sized tree to 40 feet tall and one or more trunks 8" to 12" in diameter, but can reach heights of up to 90 feet, with an oval crown of drooping branches. Birch trees are chosen for gardens because they display colorful, paper-like or shredding bark and tend to have a bright yellow fall leaf color. The university does not review, control or take responsibility for the contents of those sites. • … They are also more borer-resistant than most birches. Both the foliage and the bark makes this specimen one of the fragrant plants. An alternate common name is "black" birch, which is reflected in the species name, nigra (Latin for "black"). But it derives its common name not from the color of its foliage, but rather from the color of its peeling bark. ‘Heritage' - Heat-loving, highly adaptive cultivar that won a Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Gold Medal in 1990. River birch is widely planted for its appealing, peeling bark and shiny, diamond-shaped leaves. This lovely tree grows in cold areas and hot and humid conditions, a span that includes frigid Maine and Minnesota all the way down to hot and humid Florida and Texas. They are native to this region, and they prefer its cool temperatures. If misused, however, damage may occur from trunk girdling or constriction, insects, diseases and excessive moisture. Vigorous and fast growing, this birch has a large, pyramidal, upright habit and bears diamond-shaped, glossy green leaves with silvery undersides, which turn yellow in fall. Neurobetula Species: B. nigra Binomial name Betula nigra L. Natural range of Betula nigra Betula nigra, the black birch, river birch or water birch, is a species of birch native to the Eastern United States from New Hampshire west to sou Birch trees prefer to occupy habitats in cool, moist areas, including peatlands (moors, peatbogs), river banks, and lakeshores. Click here, then click on your county either on the map or from the list of counties below it. Foliage: Triangular green leaves with toothed edges, yellow fall colour. Betulaceae -- Birch family. More About this Tree ... Birch, River Common Name: River Birch Betula nigra Tree Size: Large Leaf Type: Deciduous Comments: Works well as multiple trunk specimen. Shaded area represents potential planting range. They shed their bark like the paper birches. River birch can grow 50 to 90 feet tall but is often seen 40 to 50 feet. Leaf Type and Shape - Simple, ovate to narrow-ovate. River birch trees tolerate the summer heat better than paper birch trees, meaning they are better suited to grow in warmer regions. Some trees may have naturalized in the wild from yards and gardens, but several populations in New England are native, and the species is listed as rare in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. River birch is drought sensitive and does not like hot, dry summers. But gray birch trees grow in clumps, producing multiple trunks, and their bark, which does not peel, is not especially attractive. Leaf Margins - Coarsely and doubly-serrate, sharp ... River Birch (B. nigra) - Resistant to bronze birch borers, but many sources are questionable in hardiness and adaptation in North Dakota. Its diamond shaped, double-toothed leaves produce an … But the birches boast other traits, too, that will catch the attention of homeowners seeking year-round interest in the yard. Plant Family. River birch seed germinates quickly in mud, allowing it to grow in areas where it helps prevent erosion. "River" birch is called so because, in its native habitat, it is often found growing near rivers. Shape: Pyramidal or … It is fast growing and provides shade about as quickly as any tree can. The fall foliage of paper birch trees is similar to that of gray birch trees (Betula populifolia). This is a reference to its bark, which starts out salmon but turns darker as it matures. Salmon-pink, smooth and shiny at first, the bark flakes and curls in cinnamon-brown to blackish sheets. European White Birch, Silver Birch. These specimens are full-sun trees, but they will also tolerate partial shade. Betula nigra, commonly called river birch, is a vigorous, fast-growing, medium-sized, Missouri native deciduous tree which occurs on floodplains, swampy bottomlands and along streams throughout the State.In cultivation, it can be trained as either a single trunk or multi-trunked tree. ‘Cully' - Broadly pyramidal, with lighter bark than the species and large, glossy green leaves. An alternate common name is "black" birch, which is reflected in the species name, nigra (Latin for "black"). It will grow about 30 inches or more each year in USDA hardiness zone 7, faster in the South. Plants benefit with a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch and supplemental water in dry periods. Cherry Birch (Betula lenta) Cherry birch is a large tree that grows from a single main trunk. WARNING: Some websites to which these materials provide links for the convenience of users are not managed by the University of Kentucky. For undergraduate student information regarding the Sustainable Agriculture program, contact Dr. Krista Jacobsen at (859) 257-3921, or krista.jacobsen@uky.edu. Scientific Leaf Names. Paper Birch, White Birch, Canoe Birch. River Birch Betula nigra. The veins of the leaves run directly to the teeth from the mid-vein of the leaf. Send mail to cgcass0@uky.edu with questions about this site. As suggested by its name, the branches of this birch tree droop, or “weep” down towards the ground. • Protective wraps may not be necessary at planting time. Its fall foliage color is yellow. Bark: Salmon-colored bark that peels; lighter in color than the native river birch. River Birch Fungus. Name: River Birch (Betula nigra), also known as water birch, or black birch. It can be grown in planting zones 3 to 9. The foliage is eaten by deer and other browsers. Leaf Type: Deciduous Comments: Adapted to many soil and moisture conditions. G. Lumis. 'Purpurea' 'Crimson Frost'. Trunks are wrapped with peeling sheets of papery bark. This is a reference to its bark, which starts out salmon but turns darker as … Plant them in full sun to partial shade. The chalky bark, or “paper,” is more striking than that of the river birch trees, sometimes attaining to almost a pure white (which is why it is also sometimes called "white birch"). The bark of this tree is famous for another reason, too: as the material for birch-bark canoes. In addition to its white bark and yellow fall foliage, the form of this tree provides landscaping interest. The UF|IFAS says the scientific name of a leaf is the same worldwide. Another birch tree grown as much for its peeling bark as for its fall foliage is the paper birch (Betula papyrifera). As a landscape plant, it is grown as a single-stem tree or in a clump as a multi-stemmed tree with three or more trunks. River Birch, Red Birch. These are units that are no longer needed in our rental operations, but are ready to work for a new owner. It should be pruned in summer because it bleeds if pruned in spring. Their shapes vary from the oval form of white birch to the shape that characterizes the river birch. River birch occurs frequently along stream banks throughout Kentucky, except in the Bluegrass region. In early summer it moves on to witch hazel foliage, but will not infest any other plant. Has good resistance to bronze birch borer. Summary. Bark more showy than the regular native species. Betula nigra The bark of a young river birch Conservation status Least Concern Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Rosids Order: Fagales Family: Betulaceae Genus: Betula Subgenus: Betula subg. It has a narrow, pyramidal to oval crown with many fine branches when young, spreading wider and becoming more oval with age, with several branches eventually becoming dominant. Betula species such as river birch trees (Betula nigra) are among the best selections for fall foliage specimens. The catkins of the River Birch are used by redpolls and pine siskins. Growth rate: fast Texture: medium Foliage Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. Another “white” birch is Young’s weeping birch (Betula pendula Youngii), a dwarf variety that reaches a height of 6 to 12 feet at maturity. Scientific Name: Betula nigra. Shiny, … Still relatively short-lived when compared to many shade trees. Height: 40 to 70 feet. Leaf Type: Deciduous Comments: Good long-lived shade tree. An Equal Opportunity University. Prefers loamy, well-drained soils, but works on dry sites as well. Betula nigra (River Birch) is a bushy deciduous tree prized for its incredible peeling bark. Keep reading to learn more river birch tree facts, such as river birch tree care and effectively using river birch trees in … The river birch is a popular tree for river banks and wet parts of the garden. In the spring this aphid feeds on river birch leaves. It lacks the white trunk bark associated with other birches but is distinguished by reddish-brown bark peeling off in film-like papery curls providing interest all year round. Plant it in full sun to partial shade. The small but plentiful seeds are appreciated by a wide range of songbirds. It has a narrow, oval to pyramidal crown when young, spreading wider with age as several branches become dominant. They can be multi-trunked trees or grown to have just one trunk. Betula platyphylla var. River birch is a fast-growing, deciduous semi-aquatic tree that reaches between 50 and 90 feet in height. The ripening of seed coincides with high water levels of rivers, its native setting, allowing the seed to be carried long distances by the water. Grow it in zones 4 to 7 in full sun to partial shade. Although it tends to be a medium-sized tree, one tree in Alabama has grown to 111 feet tall, with a diameter of more than 4 feet. Weeping Cherry Trees and Other Cascading Trees, 12 Trees With Brilliant Fall Color Plus Other Advantages, 15 Varieties of Japanese Maple Trees With Colorful Foliage. Betula nigra-- River Birch Page 2 Crown density: dense Figure 2. - Narrow, pyramidal growth habit when young. Spread: 40 to 60 feet. Native to the Eastern U.S., they will reach a height of 40 to 70 feet with a spread of 25 to 35 feet. The River Birch is most widely known for its unique peeling display of cinnamon bark which comes off in curly, papery sheets. Grow these two trees if you live in Canada or the northern tier of U.S. states (planting zones 2 to 6). We also have a large selection of equipment for sale. The Kentucky champion tree is in Johnson County and is 80 feet tall. Yellow birches should be grown in full sun to partial shade, in planting zones 4 to 7. Companion plants grown with a birch tree need to complement -- not hide or visually overpower -- the ornamental features of the birch and grow in a climate and soil that already favors the birch tree. River birch is distinguished by having alternate, simple leaves, 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches long, 3/4 to 2 1/2 inches wide, sharp pointed, double toothed or shallowly lobed, with a wedge shaped base. The fall foliage color is yellow. River birch was first cultivated in 1736. River birches are attractive when planted in groups, especially against a dark background. Crimson Frost Birch. Description This is a medium to large-sized deciduous tree (25 – 30 meters) often having multiple trunks. River birch (Betula nigra): Sometimes called black birch, this species has a much darker trunk than the paper birch, but still has the characteristic flaky surface. This tree is an excellent tree for all seasons; the fall and winter interest is spectacular. It has larger, glossier leaves, is hardy to at least -40 degrees F, and is able to adapt to the heat of the deep South. For general undergraduate student information, contact Dr. Rick Durham at (859) 257-3249, or rdurham@uky.edu. Its bark is whiter than any birch resistant to bronze birch borer. The common name of a leaf can change depending on your location. A beautiful, fast-growing shade tree that thrives from North to South, the Dura Heat® River Birch is one-of-a-kind. Shiloh Splash River Birch Tree(Betula nigra 'Shiloh Splash') has the most amazing variegated leaves, along with the charming exfoliating bark you love. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Each tree belongs to a plant family. This site was last updated on December 18, 2020. This exceptional cultivar of a native River Birch tree really takes the visual impact up several levels. Their height and spread are similar to that of river birch trees. Its parent, Betula pendula, is the European white birch. Noteworthy Characteristics. We have an inventory of over 500 heavy earthmoving machines and watering equipment, which we are continually upgrading. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Birches are considered “bleeders”, avoid pruning in late spring before leaves emerge. Birch leaves are simple in form, with a single blade comprising the leaf. A tall tree (60 to 80 feet) with a spread of about 30 feet, it has yellow fall foliage. Another of the attractive non-white birch trees is the yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis). Grows well in wet areas. Thanks to its shallow root system, river birch is easy to transplant. szechuanica x Betula pendula. This bark sheds like that of the paper and river birch trees. The trees' peeling bark is as attractive as the fall foliage. Most importantly, sweet birch bears a more reliably strong, golden-yellow fall foliage than most other birches (whose autumn leaves sometimes lapse into paler yellows). It is a Latin derived word and it’s used to standardize a leaf for scientific research. Heritage River Birch. as ash, birch, linden, and maple. The tree is the only birch found in the Southern U.S., ranging from Florida to eastern Texas, and is … River birch trees can be grown in planting zones 4 to 9. "River" birch is called so because, in its native habitat, it is often found growing near rivers. Heritage® river birch. Betula nigra L.. River Birch. Yellow Birch. N-318 Ag Sciences Center University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40546-0091, Fax (Lexington): 859-257-2859       (Princeton): 270-365-2667, For questions about home gardening, landscaping or commercial horticulture production, please contact your county extension agent. River birch can be used as a screen or shade tree, and as a street tree with irrigation. ‘Heritage' is better than river birch seedlings produced by cuttings and tissue culture, and has been shown to outgrow the seedlings by 50 percent. Some of the other shapes of birch leaves include the almost triangular outline of gray birch and the oblong form of sweet birch. Site design : Academic Web Pages. Copyright 2020, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Jacquemonti Birch, White-barked Himalayan Birch. River birch can be easily trained with one central leader or as a … ... Birch, River Common Name: River Birch Betula nigra Tree Size: Large Leaf Type: Deciduous Comments: Works well as multiple trunk specimen. Use wraps based on type of protection needed. The color of the bark is variable ranging from brown to creamy white. ECCO Equipment operates out of 13 locations throughout the western US. Each beautiful leaf is different, and looks like a custom work of art up close. The plant grows to be 40 to 50 feet tall, with a spread of 35 to 45 feet. River birch seed ripens in May and June. Aphids and sooty mold can be problems on river birches. But do not settle for trees alone when it comes to growing plants for fall color, because there are plenty of shrubs and vines with fall color that gives you additional choices (in fact, being smaller, such plants may be better suited to small yards). Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Reported to have other better features than the regular native river birch. 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