#88
Accession Number: 0088-0000
Common Name: River Birch
Latin Name: Betula nigra
Family: Betulaceae (Birch Family)
Native Range: Eastern United States
Height: 40–70 feet
Spread: 40–60 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Brown (male) green (female)
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4
Light Preference: Full sun to part shade
Water Needs: Medium to wet
Notes: Tolerates deer, drought, clay soil, wet soil, air pollution; Works well as a shade tree, in a rain garden; attracts birds; winter interest
Description: River Birch is a robust, fast-growing tree of medium size in colder climates. In native situations, it tends to grow in floodplains, swampy areas, and along streams. It can be trained to a single trunk or grown as a multi-trunked tree. Multiple trunk trees will mature to a more irregular canopy shape, but are considered a preferable growth habit. The bark can be from salmon to red-brown, which exfoliates to reveal lighter colored inner bark. Although considered a very disease-free birch species in the north, they do not adapt well to hot summers in zones 5 and above, and can be much shorter-lived in these areas. When stressed and weakened by hot, humid conditions, they become more susceptible to some insect pests which can hasten their demise.
