River Birch
Betula nigra
Pronunciation: BET-ew-luh NY-gruh
SKU #01242
| Description | Attractive buff-colored peeling bark is a wonderful backdrop for yellow fall color. An impressive specimen often grown as a clump of several trunks. Thrives in moist areas. Considered to be more resistant to borers than the European white birch, and one of the most adaptable and heat tolerant of the birches. Deciduous. |
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| Light | Full sun |
| Watering | Keep soil moist to wet. |
| Blooms | Inconspicuous; prized for foliage and bark. |
| Mature Size | Quickly reaches 40 to 60 ft. tall and wide; 70 ft. tall in ideal conditions. |
| Deciduous/Evergreen | Deciduous |
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| Special Features | Attractive Bark, Fall Color, Improved Pest and Disease Resistance, North American Native Selection, Fast Growing, Benefits Birds |
| Problems/Solutions | Coastal Exposure, Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Very Wet Areas, Road Salt Tolerant |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Growth Habit | Pyramidal |
| Landscape Use | Windbreak, Shade Tree |
|---|---|
| Design Ideas | Excellent tree for very large homesites, parks and open space. A problem solver for low lying sites to wet for many other species. Important component of the wetland wild garden and for re-vegetating disturbed sites along river banks that benefit from extensive root stabilization of eroding banks.. |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Companion Plants | Clethra (Clethra); Red-Twig Dogwood (Cornus); Sweet Flag (Acorus); Dappled Willow (Salix integra); Water Iris (Iris ensata); Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra) |
| Care | Thrives in deep, loamy, moist but well-drained soil amended with sand or gravel, but highly adaptable. Water deeply, regularly in first few growing seasons to establish root system; once established tolerates mild drought, but reaches maximum growth in rich, fertile, evenly moist soils. Fertilize in early spring. Seldom requires pruning. |
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| Lore | Infusions of the inner bark of river birch was used to treat a variety of ailments by many Native American tribes within its range. |
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This Plant's Growing Zones: 4-7
Your USDA Cold Hardiness Zone:
Your climate may be too cold for this plant
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About Us
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly
100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr.
in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.