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. River birch occurs frequently along stream banks throughout Kentucky, except in the Bluegrass region. Some of the other shapes of birch leaves include the almost triangular outline of gray birch and the oblong form of sweet birch. 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. Crimson Frost Birch. ECCO Equipment operates out of 13 locations throughout the western US. River birch trees can be grown in planting zones 4 to 9. This is a reference to its bark, which starts out salmon but turns darker as … 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. 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. - Narrow, pyramidal growth habit when young. 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. Keep reading to learn more river birch tree facts, such as river birch tree care and effectively using river birch trees in … Grow these two trees if you live in Canada or the northern tier of U.S. states (planting zones 2 to 6). Heritage River Birch. River Birch Fungus. Yellow birches should be grown in full sun to partial shade, in planting zones 4 to 7. It normally grows with a central leader and small-diameter, dark-colored lateral branches. Grows well in wet areas. The tree is the only birch found in the Southern U.S., ranging from Florida to eastern Texas, and is … 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. ... Birch, River Common Name: River Birch Betula nigra Tree Size: Large Leaf Type: Deciduous Comments: Works well as multiple trunk specimen. 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. Plant Family. Its parent, Betula pendula, is the European white birch. 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. River birch can be easily trained with one central leader or as a … But gray birch trees grow in clumps, producing multiple trunks, and their bark, which does not peel, is not especially attractive. It is a Latin derived word and it’s used to standardize a leaf for scientific research. 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. 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 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. G. Lumis. Its fall foliage color is yellow. Each tree belongs to a plant family. Leaf Type: Deciduous Comments: Good long-lived shade tree. Plants benefit with a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch and supplemental water in dry periods. But it derives its common name not from the color of its foliage, but rather from the color of its peeling bark. This bark sheds like that of the paper and river birch trees. For general undergraduate student information, contact Dr. Rick Durham at (859) 257-3249, or rdurham@uky.edu. They are also more borer-resistant than most birches. Both the foliage and the bark makes this specimen one of the fragrant plants. We also have a large selection of equipment for sale. Its attractive bark is especially striking in the winter when the rest of the tree is bare. It has a narrow, oval to pyramidal crown when young, spreading wider with age as several branches become dominant. A tall tree (60 to 80 feet) with a spread of about 30 feet, it has yellow fall foliage. Foliage: Triangular green leaves with toothed edges, yellow fall colour. This site was last updated on December 18, 2020. 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. The foliage is eaten by deer and other browsers. This is a reference to its bark, which starts out salmon but turns darker as it matures. "River" birch is called so because, in its native habitat, it is often found growing near rivers. Native to the Eastern U.S., they will reach a height of 40 to 70 feet with a spread of 25 to 35 feet. River birch was first cultivated in 1736. Another birch tree grown as much for its peeling bark as for its fall foliage is the paper birch (Betula papyrifera). An alternate common name is "black" birch, which is reflected in the species name, nigra (Latin for "black"). szechuanica x Betula pendula. River Birch, Red Birch. In the spring this aphid feeds on river birch leaves. An Equal Opportunity University. They shed their bark like the paper birches. Its bark is whiter than any birch resistant to bronze birch borer. Leaf of river birch. An alternate common name is "black" birch, which is reflected in the species name, nigra (Latin for "black"). The veins of the leaves run directly to the teeth from the mid-vein of the leaf. ‘Heritage' - Heat-loving, highly adaptive cultivar that won a Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Gold Medal in 1990. A North American native, 'Heritage' river birch can grow 50 to 80 feet tall but is often seen at 40 to 50 feet. Description This is a medium to large-sized deciduous tree (25 – 30 meters) often having multiple trunks. It will grow about 30 inches or more each year in USDA hardiness zone 7, faster in the South. 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. The UF|IFAS says the scientific name of a leaf is the same worldwide. Has good resistance to bronze birch borer. • … 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. Betula platyphylla var. Shaded area represents potential planting range. River birch seed ripens in May and June. Scientific Name: Betula nigra. Yellow Birch. River birch (Betula nigra) is an adaptable tree growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 through 9. The small but plentiful seeds are appreciated by a wide range of songbirds. Birch leaves are simple in form, with a single blade comprising the leaf. The plant grows to be 40 to 50 feet tall, with a spread of 35 to 45 feet. Another of the attractive non-white birch trees is the yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis). They can be multi-trunked trees or grown to have just one trunk. • Protective wraps may not be necessary at planting time. River birch is a fast-growing, deciduous semi-aquatic tree that reaches between 50 and 90 feet in height. The trees' peeling bark is as attractive as the fall foliage. 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. Betula nigra-- River Birch Page 2 Crown density: dense Figure 2. Name: River Birch (Betula nigra), also known as water birch, or black birch. Site design : Academic Web Pages. 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. European White Birch, Silver Birch. The specific type of aphid that feeds on river birch foliage is known as the spiny witch-hazel gall aphid. Plant it in full sun to partial shade. 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 color of the bark is variable ranging from brown to creamy white. Still relatively short-lived when compared to many shade trees. Its diamond shaped, double-toothed leaves produce an … Prefers loamy, well-drained soils, but works on dry sites as well. River birch seed germinates quickly in mud, allowing it to grow in areas where it helps prevent erosion. River birch can grow 50 to 90 feet tall but is often seen 40 to 50 feet. Growth rate: fast Texture: medium Foliage Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. river birch Betula nigra. Leaf Type and Shape - Simple, ovate to narrow-ovate. For graduate student information, contact Dr. Doug Archbold at 859-257-3352, or darchbol@uky.edu, River Birch - Betula nigraBirch Family (Betulaceae). Salmon-pink, smooth and shiny at first, the bark flakes and curls in cinnamon-brown to blackish sheets. The bark of this tree is famous for another reason, too: as the material for birch-bark canoes. Birches are considered “bleeders”, avoid pruning in late spring before leaves emerge. River birch is widely planted for its appealing, peeling bark and shiny, diamond-shaped leaves. 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). Speaking more accurately, the bark is silvery-bronze in color with hints of gold. As suggested by its name, the branches of this birch tree droop, or “weep” down towards the ground. Use wraps based on type of protection needed. WARNING: Some websites to which these materials provide links for the convenience of users are not managed by the University of Kentucky. Shiny, … Aphids and sooty mold can be problems on river birches. Scientific Leaf Names. River Birch Betula nigra. The fall foliage color is yellow. Thanks to its shallow root system, river birch is easy to transplant. Paper Birch, White Birch, Canoe Birch. Send mail to cgcass0@uky.edu with questions about this site. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. River birch trees tolerate the summer heat better than paper birch trees, meaning they are better suited to grow in warmer regions. If misused, however, damage may occur from trunk girdling or constriction, insects, diseases and excessive moisture. 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). Birch trees prefer to occupy habitats in cool, moist areas, including peatlands (moors, peatbogs), river banks, and lakeshores. 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"). Reported to have other better features than the regular native river birch. In addition to its white bark and yellow fall foliage, the form of this tree provides landscaping interest. They are native to this region, and they prefer its cool temperatures. We have an inventory of over 500 heavy earthmoving machines and watering equipment, which we are continually upgrading. Cherry Birch (Betula lenta) Cherry birch is a large tree that grows from a single main trunk. Noteworthy Characteristics. Summary. It can be grown in planting zones 3 to 9. 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. 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. 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. Height: 40 to 70 feet. 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. Leaf Type: Deciduous Comments: Adapted to many soil and moisture conditions. The Kentucky champion tree is in Johnson County and is 80 feet tall. The university does not review, control or take responsibility for the contents of those sites. Shape: Pyramidal or … River birch is drought sensitive and does not like hot, dry summers. Heritage® river birch. Their height and spread are similar to that of river birch trees. Betula species such as river birch trees (Betula nigra) are among the best selections for fall foliage specimens. It is fast growing and provides shade about as quickly as any tree can. Betula nigra L.. River Birch. Bark more showy than the regular native species. Each beautiful leaf is different, and looks like a custom work of art up close. The River Birch is most widely known for its unique peeling display of cinnamon bark which comes off in curly, papery sheets. , avoid pruning in late spring before leaves emerge landscaping interest of equipment sale! 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