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Betula nigra DURA-HEAT

Betula nigra DURA-HEAT

DURA-HEAT River Birch

synonym Betula nigra 'BNMTF'

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Description

Betula nigra DURA-HEAT (black birch DURA-HEAT) was selected in Georgia, United States, because of its superior tolerance to drought and heat compared to the species. DURA-HEAT generally remains somewhat smaller than the species, reaching an ultimate height of approximately nine to twelve meters and a width of eight to ten meters. The crown is broadly pyramidal in shape with a semi-open branching structure. The cultivar usually grows as a multi-stem tree, creating a natural and graceful silhouette.

The leaves of Betula nigra DURA-HEAT are slightly smaller but glossier, thicker, and darker green than those of the species, giving the tree a refined appearance. In autumn, the foliage turns yellow. The leaves often remain on the tree well into late autumn, long after many other trees have shed theirs due to stressful conditions such as heat or drought. DURA-HEAT flowers in early spring with characteristic catkins: the male catkins are long and pendulous, while the female catkins are shorter and upright. These are followed by small clusters of winged nutlets. The exfoliating bark is one of the greatest ornamental features of this selection, displaying a warm blend of creamy white, pale pink, cinnamon brown, and gray, peeling away in thin curls and providing year-round visual interest. The twigs are reddish brown, slender, and marked with fine lenticels.

Betula nigra DURA-HEAT is an excellent choice for parks, large gardens, urban green spaces, and water-related projects. Thanks to its improved heat and drought tolerance, it is particularly well suited for use in urban settings and climate-sensitive environments. Like the species, it performs best in moist, acidic, and well-drained soils, but DURA-HEAT tolerates temporary drought better and is therefore more broadly adaptable. It grows most optimally in full sun to light shade and is fully winter hardy. With its exfoliating bark, compact crown, and low susceptibility to pests, black birch DURA-HEAT is both a functional and aesthetically valuable tree choice.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees climate trees

Use

Location

avenue park central reservation in containers roof garden large garden cemetery bioswale

Pavement

none none open open

Planting concepts

climate planting urban planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide pyramidal wide pyramidal

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

9 - 12 m

Width

8 - 10 m

Winter hardiness zone

4A - 9B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay heavy clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist wet

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

neutral

Host plant/forage plant

butterflies

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerates heat tolerant to short-term flooding

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Betula nigra DURA-HEAT? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Betula nigra DURA-HEAT standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Betula nigra DURA-HEAT standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Betula nigra DURA-HEAT standard tree
leaves leaves
Betula nigra DURA-HEAT leaves
leaves leaves
Betula nigra DURA-HEAT leaves
leaves leaves
Betula nigra DURA-HEAT leaves
leaves leaves
Betula nigra DURA-HEAT leaves
bark bark
Betula nigra DURA-HEAT bark
bark bark
Betula nigra DURA-HEAT bark
bark bark
Betula nigra DURA-HEAT bark

Flowers

Flowers

catkins discrete

Flower colour

brown green

Flowering period

April - May

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green

Leaves

deciduous rhomboid thick leathery serrate

Autumn colour

yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

yellow-brown

Fruits

striking catkins

Bark

Bark colour

cinnamon-brown

Bark

peeling slightly furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

red-brown

Twigs

bare

Root system

Root system

compact highly branched

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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