Because birch are shallow-rooted, they prefer a location where the soil remains cool and moist while exposing the canopy to ample sunlight (about 6 hours daily). The graceful river birch has dark, satiny exfoliating bark in rich shades of brown and pink. They are in the genera Betula, which is the Latin word for “to shine,” and if you have a birch tree in your yard, you may agree that the tree seems to have a glow.How long do birch trees live? River birch is drought sensitive and does not like hot, dry summers. In cultivation, it can be trained as either a single trunk or multi-trunked tree. Hardiness: Zones 4 to 9. Heritage® river birch. Foliage matures to a clear butter yellow in fall for outstanding specimen. Use as a s pecimen or in small groupings in any landscape, and in particular for wet soils along ponds, streams or in low areas. They form at different times; the male catkins form in fall and bloom in the spring, when the female catkins appear. Quickly reaches 40 to 60 ft. tall and wide; 70 ft. tall in ideal conditions. Initially about 2 inches long, the green catkins overwinter on the tree, growing longer in the It can be grown as a single-stemmed specimen or multi-stemmed tree. Noteworthy Characteristics. 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. Bloom Time/Color: April-May; brown/green Fall Color: Yellow Uses: Specimen, shade tree, rain gardens Maintenance: Low Tree Shape: Pyramidal, round Other: Bronze birch borer resistant, deer resistant. Zone: 4 to 9 Height: 40.00 to 70.00 feet Spread: 40.00 to 60.00 feet Bloom Time: April to May Bloom Description: Brown (male) and green (female) Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium to wet Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Shade Tree, Rain Garden Leaf: Good Fall Other: Winter Interest The birch tree lifespan depends upon where the tree is growing. Size - Large . Bloom Description: Brown (male) green (female), Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Clay Soil, Wet Soil, Black Walnut, Air Pollution. Seldom requires pruning. Its attractive bark is especially striking in the winter when the rest of the tree is bare. Salmon-pink to reddish brown bark exfoliates to reveal lighter inner bark. Your climate may be too cold for this plant, SIGN-UP FOR DESIGN INSPIRATION AND UPDATES ON NEW PLANTS, 817 E. MONROVIA PLACEAZUSA, CALIFORNIA 91702-1385, LEGACY OUR STORY NURSERY LOCATIONS SUSTAINABILITY PRESS CAREERS INTERNSHIPS, FIND A MONROVIA PROFESSIONAL BECOME A MONROVIA PRO, CONTACT US FAQs RETURN POLICY SHIPPING INFO HOW TO ORDER ONLINE. 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. An improved variety larger, glossier leaves that turn golden yellow in fall and better exfoliating bark color that provides year round interest. Multi-trunked trees form a more irregular crown and are generally considered to be the superior growth habit for this species. Water Needs: Moist, Well Drained Soil. Resistant to bronze birch borer. Distinctive curling, blackish bark exfoliates to reveal varied shades of orange, gray, and lavender, depending on the cultivar. Oval, serrated leaves are dark green in the summer, bright yellow in the fall Exfoliating, cream and tan bark reveals a lighter, inner bark 'Dura Heat', as the name states, has good tolerance to summer heat and drought Bloom Time: April to May 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. Over time the bark will show a whole host of colors, including orange, gray, lavender and salmon. Exfoliating cinnamon-colored bark creates winter interest. Leathery, diamond-shaped, medium to dark green leaves (1.5-3.5" long) with doubly toothed margins turn yellow in fall. Inner bark is creamy white. Cold Hardiness-20 to -30° F. Sun Exposure: Full sun. Design Ideas Adaptation: In its native habitat, river birch grows well in low and medium elevations and is most common along streams. River birch is widely planted for its appealing, peeling bark and shiny, diamond-shaped leaves. It is easy to grow, has a vigorous growth rate and improved disease and insect resistance. ‘Dura Heat’ is a little more compact than the straight species River Birch and, as the name might suggest, has better heat tolerance. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The leaves are oval, around 1-1/2 to 3 inches long, and 1 to 2 inches wide with slightly serrated margins and are shiny and medium green in color. Use as specimen or near ponds and wet areas. Most species of birch grow best in cool, northern climates, but do not adapt well to the hot summers of USDA Zones 5-9 and can be short-lived therein. Male flowers appear on birch trees at the end of summer as clusters of erect catkins. They have cinnamon-colored bark that peels from the trunk. Adapts well to heavy clay soils of Missouri and will tolerate poor drainage. Birch trees are lovely, graceful trees with pale bark and bright, heart-shaped leaves. Best Time of Year to Prune River Birch Trees. Densely pyramidal form features glossy green diamond-shaped leaves. 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. Thrives in deep, loamy, moist but well-drained soil amended with sand or gravel, but highly adaptable. Leaves: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Deciduous Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow Green Leaf Feel: Rough Leaf Value To Gardener: Showy The river birch is a popular tree for river banks and wet parts of the garden. Betula nigra ‘Dura Heat’ is a decidedly superior variety of River Birch. If pruned too early in the year, when awakening from their winter rest, they bleed a heavy flow of sap. 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.. Growth Habit: Pyramidal to Round. Bloom Time - Bloom Color - USDA Hardiness Zone - 4a . Choosing plants that grow and thrive in your particular climate is the very first step toward having a beautiful garden . Older trees display coarse scales. 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. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. For example, some trees, like birch and willows, bloom early to lengthen their pre-summer food production time. PRIVACY POLICY|TERMS & CONDITIONS|SITE MAP. Full sun. Hardy in United States Department of Agriculture zones 4 to 9, river birch is the most widely distributed and adapted birch tree in the states. River birch are tall, graceful-looking trees. Specimen or small groupings for lawns, parks and commercial properties, and, in particular, for wet soils along ponds, streams or in low spots. Your climate might be too cold for this plant: Water regularly to maintain wet or evenly moist soil - weekly or more. River birch in bloom (L) with the male catkins most noticeable (R). In nature, they are found in flood plains, swamps, and along streams. Cultivar is a more resilient form of American native species. Bloom Time: Grown for its foliage. Deciduous. Average Size at Maturity: Quickly reaches 40 to 60 ft. tall and wide; 70 ft. tall in ideal conditions. Guarantee: Earl May Nursery Stock Guarantee About Heritage River Birch Clump. Skip to the beginning of the images gallery. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running. River Birch. Unlike other trees, that should be pruned in late Fall to early Spring, the River Birch tree has a different timeline. The river birch is monoecious and bears male and female flower clusters called catkins on the same tree. River birch is perhaps the most culturally adaptable and heat tolerant of the birches. River birch is monoecious (separate male and female flowers on the same plant) with flowers arranged in catkins. The fruit forms as 3-inch long clusters of seeds called catkins. Flower Bloom Time: Spring Flower Size: 1-3 inches Flower Description: The River Birch has light green, 2 to 3 inch slim, cylindrical flowers and fruiting staminate catkins 2 to 3 inches long that bloom in early spring. Betula nigra is an Iowa native. Plus, it's an elegant source of shade, with unique peeling bark that stands out in your landscape. Weakened birches become vulnerable to the bronze birch borer which typically infects and kills birches stressed by summer heat and humidity. Often selected as an ornamental tree in the landscape for its beautiful exfoliating bark, and multi-stemmed trunk. Some trees may have naturalized in the wild from yards and gardens, but several populations in New England are native, and the species is listed as rare in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Tolerates moist areas. Monoecious flowers appear in drooping, brownish male catkins and smaller, upright, greenish female catkins.Genus name is the Latin name for birch.Specific epithet means black. Facts. River birch are prized trees in Midwest gardens for their four season interest and aesthetics. Birches are considered “bleeders”, avoid pruning in late spring before leaves emerge. Bloom Time: Inconspicuous; prized for foliage and bark. River Birch Growing and Maintenance Tips. It is fast growing and provides shade about as quickly as any tree can. On the other hand, trees, like oaks and elms, prolong their bud break to protect against sudden drops in spring temperatures early on. While it prefers a damp environment, it can grow on higher land as well. No Retailers found within 50 miles of your zipcode. The ideal spot is the north or east side of a building, where the tree will receive full sun in the morning and some shade during the afternoon. Better disease and insect resistance than other birch species; also very resistant to bronze birch borer. Keep reading to learn more river birch tree facts, such as river birch tree care and effectively using river birch trees in … As a single trunk tree, it develops a pyramidal habit when young, but matures to a more rounded shape typically growing 40-70' tall. Seed grown. Reported to have other better features than the regular native river birch. 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