Betula nigra

River birch, Black birch, Water birch, Red birch

synonym Betula rubra

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Description

Betula nigra (river birch) is native to the southeastern United States, where it naturally occurs along riverbanks, moist soils and wet woodlands together with species such as Carpinus caroliniana, Gleditsia triacanthos, Liriodendron tulipifera, Nyssa sylvatica and Quercus bicolor. It is a medium sized to large tree that reaches a height of twelve to twenty meters in cultivation, and sometimes even higher under ideal conditions. Its width ranges from seven to ten meters. The tree grows narrowly upright when young but develops into a broad, loosely ascending and often irregular to vase shaped crown with elegant overhanging branches as it matures. Betula nigra often grows as a multi stemmed tree, which enhances its ornamental character.

The most distinctive feature of this species is its peeling bark. When young, the bark is orange brown to cinnamon colored with hints of pink, and exfoliates in large curls. With age, the bark becomes darker gray brown. Young twigs are reddish brown and fine in texture. The leaves are dark green above and lighter green beneath, diamond shaped to ovate, with a doubly serrated margin. They turn a beautiful golden yellow in autumn. In April, the tree flowers with inconspicuous catkins. The male catkins are long and pendulous, while the female catkins are shorter and upright. The fruits are small nutlets grouped in short, erect catkins.

Betula nigra is a highly decorative and characterful tree that fits beautifully in parks, gardens, bioswales and natural riparian zones. Its striking bark and open habit make it popular both as a solitary specimen and in group plantings. It is particularly well suited to moist to wet soils but surprisingly also tolerates dry to moderately dry conditions once established. Additionally, it is very winter hardy and tolerant of air pollution, making it suitable for urban environments. In short, Betula nigra is a robust tree that adds strong aesthetic value to a wide range of landscapes.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees trees for climbing characteristic trees

Topiary on stem

multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

avenue park central reservation roof garden large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones countryside bioswale

Pavement

none

open

Planting concepts

landscape planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

vase-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open

Height

18 - 20 m

Width

7 - 10 m

Winter hardiness zone

4A - 9B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind slightly tolerant to coastal wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil all soils

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist wet very wet

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral

Host plant/forage plant

butterflies

Extreme environments

tolerates air pollution tolerates heat tolerant to short-term flooding

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

Magnify

standard tree

feathered

multi-stem

standard tree

flowers

leaves

autumn leaves

bark

twigs

Seasonal colours

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

catkins striking pendulous

Flower colour

pale yellow

Flowering period

March - April

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green underside grey-green

Leaves

deciduous ovate polished rough doubly serrate lobate

Autumn colour

golden yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown

Fruits

catkins

Bark

Bark colour

cream pale brown dark brown

Bark

peeling

Twigs

Twig colour

red-brown

Twigs

with lenticels polished pendulous finely branched

Root system

shallow slightly branched many hair roots central root roots push up surface

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.

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Betula nigra

River birch, Black birch, Water birch, Red birch

synonym Betula rubra

Description

Types of planting

Tree types

Topiary on stem

Use

Location

Pavement

Planting concepts

Characteristics

Crown shape

Crown structure

Height

Width

Winter hardiness zone

Aspects

Wind

Soil

Nutrient level

Soil moisture level

Light requirements

pH range

Host plant/forage plant

Extreme environments

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Place order or further information?

Photos

Seasonal colours

Flowers

Flowers

Flower colour

Flowering period

Leaves

Leaf colour

Leaves

Autumn colour

Fruits

Fruit colour

Fruits

Bark

Bark colour

Bark

Twigs

Twig colour

Twigs

Root system

Root system

For and by green professionals

TreeEbb

Winter hardiness

FIND OUT MORE

CONTACT

STEP INTO OUR GREEN WORLD!

STAY UP TO DATE

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