River Birch Tree (Single Trunk)

Betula nigra

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Tree

Height at Maturity: 40-50′

Width at Maturity: 30-40′
Spacing: 15-20′ for privacy screens; 50 feet for space between trees

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Pyramidal – More rounded as a single-trunk tree

Growth Rate: Very Fast! Several feet per year

Flower Color: Produce brown catkins in spring

Flowering Period: Spring

Flower Type: Catkins

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Medium to Dark Green depending on soil pH
Fall Foliage Color: Yellow

Fragrant Foliage: No

Bark Color: Salmon, Cream, and White shades

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun

Water Needs: Average, lower when established

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt – Fertile

Soil Drainage: Well Drained Moist to Wet!

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention, Birds

Resistances: Birch Borers, Deer, Disease, Heat, Humidity, Moderate Drought, Wet Soils

Description

This is the single trunk version of the River Birch, a beautiful, fast-growing and very easy-to-grow North American native tree that thrives in sites with consistently moist soil. Because it has only one trunk it will fit in tighter spaces than a multi trunk. Perhaps its most appealing and outstanding feature is the highly attractive salmon and cream tones of the shedding bark that provides year-round interest in the landscape, especially during the winter. The light to dark green diamond-shape leaves are about 4 inches long and wide, turning a nice yellow in fall before dropping to expose the shedding bark. A graceful, soft-textured tree which deserves a spot in every landscape where it will grow. USDA Zones 4a-9b

Betula nigra is one of the most heat tolerant, disease-free, and insect resistant birches…much more heat tolerant than northern white birches, which don’t adapt well at all to the heat in the South. Extremely resistant to the bronze birch borer and has high resistance to leaf spot diseases.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 40 to 50 feet tall and 30 to 40 feet wide, the River Birch tree is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings or in single or staggered rows to delineate a property line or line a driveway. River Birch will tolerate dry periods but thrives in a consistently moist soil, which makes it a fine candidate for low-lying areas or next to lakes, streams, rivers or other bodies of water. Perfect for use as a shade tree and when planted on the west side of the home cooling costs will be reduced. A fine addition to native plant gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 15 to 20 feet apart for screen plantings; 50 feet apart for space between trees

Growing Preferences

Being a North American native tree, the River Birch is exceptionally easy to grow in a variety of soil types, including clay, and likes full sun to light shade. “River” in the name lets us know that it likes a consistently moist soil. That said, trees will tolerate dry periods. Maintenance is minimal. Pruning isn’t necessary. That said, if you want to expose the trunk(s) lower branches can be removed to desired height. Avoid pruning in the spring when the tree is emerging from dormancy. Wait until May or June to prune.

Note: Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop computer monitors or below on mobile devices.

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us!

The product description was 100% accurate. Delivery was on time and the packaging was perfect. The tree came with instructions and was in great condition. Very healthy. Will order from them again on these hard-to-find trees.————————————————Thanks so much for the photo! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG