Alert

Translate

Text Size

River Birch

Betula nigra

Need Help? View our legend

Type

Trees, Shrubs, & Vines

Forbs & Flowers

Grasses, Sedges, & Rushes

Conditions

Sun

Shade

Wet

Dry

Land Use

Obligate Wetland Plant almost always occurs in wetlands.

Facultative Wetland Usually occurs in wetlands but may occur in non-wetlands.

Facultative Plant occurs both in wetlands and in non-wetlands.

Facultative Upland Usually occurs in wetlands but may occur in non-wetlands.

Obligate Upland Plant almost always occurs in non-wetlands.

River birch is fast growing and long-lived and is probably our the most trouble-free birch. Do not prune until summer when the sap has stopped flowing. The tree's selling point is its satiny, silver bark that peels to reveal a cinnamon-brown trunk beneath. Fall foliage is yellow but seldom effective. Attracts birds.

View All Plants

Details

Plant Type

Trees, Shrubs, & Vines

Conditions

Sun

Wet

Native to Kentucky?

Native to Kentucky

Land Use

Facultative Wetland Usually occurs in wetlands but may occur in non-wetlands.

Project Uses

Bioswale / Rain Garden / Green Dry Basin

Riparian Restoration

Urban / Tree Box

Wetland Restoration

Tendency to Spread

Medium

Height (ft)

40-70

Tree Size Class

A: 50'+ at maturity

Flower Color

Brown

Fall Showy?

Flowering Time

April-May

Root Depth (ft)

1.6

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate Tolerance

Growth Rate

Rapid