Betula nigra
River Birch
Eastern US, Massachusetts south to Florida, west to Minnesota and Texas
Pyramidal when young, rounded when mature, multitrunked, low-branched. Can average 2 feet growth per year. Medium to fast growth rate.
Moist, rich, acid soil, but adaptable to soil moisture. Heat tolerant.
An outstanding native tree with attractive ornamental bark. Not ideal in font of buildings either because its semi-weeping habit can block the view of the building.
Dark green in summer. Buttery yellow in fall. Alternate, simple, 1.5 to 3.5 inches long, ovate, acuminate, serrate margin. Sometimes has shallow lobes.
Buds are small, less than .25 inches long, chestnut-brown. Male catkins present fall to spring (all Betula), borne in 2's and 3's; 2 to 3 inches long.
Exfoliating; gray-brown to ivory or copper-colored.
Not of ornamental value
Not of ornamental value. Small nutlet borne in catkins.
Easy from seed or cuttings.
'Heritage' - Leathery dark-green leaves and salmon-white bark. Vigorous.