Some of the other shapes of birch leaves include the almost triangular outline of gray birch and the oblong form of sweet birch. river birch Betula nigra. It is fast growing and provides shade about as quickly as any tree can. Crimson Frost Birch. River birch is a fast-growing, deciduous semi-aquatic tree that reaches between 50 and 90 feet in height. River Birch Betula nigra. 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. Each tree belongs to a plant family. A beautiful, fast-growing shade tree that thrives from North to South, the Dura Heat® River Birch is one-of-a-kind. Plant them in full sun to partial shade. Its diamond shaped, double-toothed leaves produce an … European White Birch, Silver Birch. An alternate common name is "black" birch, which is reflected in the species name, nigra (Latin for "black"). 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. 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. Betulaceae -- Birch family. As suggested by its name, the branches of this birch tree droop, or “weep” down towards the ground. 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. They are also more borer-resistant than most birches. Shape: Pyramidal or … 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. River birch trees tolerate the summer heat better than paper birch trees, meaning they are better suited to grow in warmer regions. WARNING: Some websites to which these materials provide links for the convenience of users are not managed by the University of Kentucky. Send mail to cgcass0@uky.edu with questions about this site. For graduate student information, contact Dr. Doug Archbold at 859-257-3352, or darchbol@uky.edu, River Birch - Betula nigraBirch Family (Betulaceae). Site design : Academic Web Pages. Companion plants grown with a birch tree need to complement -- not hide or visually overpower -- the ornamental features of the birch and grow in a climate and soil that already favors the birch tree. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. River birch can be used as a screen or shade tree, and as a street tree with irrigation. But gray birch trees grow in clumps, producing multiple trunks, and their bark, which does not peel, is not especially attractive. • … Foliage: Triangular green leaves with toothed edges, yellow fall colour. The foliage is eaten by deer and other browsers. 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. For undergraduate student information regarding the Sustainable Agriculture program, contact Dr. Krista Jacobsen at (859) 257-3921, or krista.jacobsen@uky.edu. Heritage® river birch. 'Purpurea' 'Crimson Frost'. In the spring this aphid feeds on river birch leaves. "River" birch is called so because, in its native habitat, it is often found growing near rivers. Click here, then click on your county either on the map or from the list of counties below it. An Equal Opportunity University. Betula platyphylla var. Summary. This site was last updated on December 18, 2020. Use wraps based on type of protection needed. The specific type of aphid that feeds on river birch foliage is known as the spiny witch-hazel gall aphid. In addition to its white bark and yellow fall foliage, the form of this tree provides landscaping interest. River birch seed germinates quickly in mud, allowing it to grow in areas where it helps prevent erosion. 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. River birch occurs frequently along stream banks throughout Kentucky, except in the Bluegrass region. Birch trees prefer to occupy habitats in cool, moist areas, including peatlands (moors, peatbogs), river banks, and lakeshores. • Protective wraps may not be necessary at planting time. This bark sheds like that of the paper and river birch trees. Another “white” birch is Young’s weeping birch (Betula pendula Youngii), a dwarf variety that reaches a height of 6 to 12 feet at maturity. River birch can grow 50 to 90 feet tall but is often seen 40 to 50 feet. "River" birch is called so because, in its native habitat, it is often found growing near rivers. 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. ‘Cully' - Broadly pyramidal, with lighter bark than the species and large, glossy green leaves. Still relatively short-lived when compared to many shade trees. Spread: 40 to 60 feet. River birch was first cultivated in 1736. This tree is an excellent tree for all seasons; the fall and winter interest is spectacular. Birches are considered “bleeders”, avoid pruning in late spring before leaves emerge. River birch can be easily trained with one central leader or as a … The Kentucky champion tree is in Johnson County and is 80 feet tall. 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). It should be pruned in summer because it bleeds if pruned in spring. Betula nigra L.. River Birch. Leaf Type: Deciduous Comments: Good long-lived shade tree. It will grow about 30 inches or more each year in USDA hardiness zone 7, faster in the South. - Narrow, pyramidal growth habit when young. Another birch tree grown as much for its peeling bark as for its fall foliage is the paper birch (Betula papyrifera). For general undergraduate student information, contact Dr. Rick Durham at (859) 257-3249, or rdurham@uky.edu. The color of the bark is variable ranging from brown to creamy white. 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. Shiny, … Their height and spread are similar to that of river birch trees. Trunks are wrapped with peeling sheets of papery bark. 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. Yellow birches should be grown in full sun to partial shade, in planting zones 4 to 7. Its parent, Betula pendula, is the European white birch. 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 small but plentiful seeds are appreciated by a wide range of songbirds. Keep reading to learn more river birch tree facts, such as river birch tree care and effectively using river birch trees in … River birch is widely planted for its appealing, peeling bark and shiny, diamond-shaped leaves. The ripening of seed coincides with high water levels of rivers, its native setting, allowing the seed to be carried long distances by the water. It normally grows with a central leader and small-diameter, dark-colored lateral branches. It can be grown in planting zones 3 to 9. Their shapes vary from the oval form of white birch to the shape that characterizes the river birch. Scientific Leaf Names. Its bark is whiter than any birch resistant to bronze birch borer. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. 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. But the birches boast other traits, too, that will catch the attention of homeowners seeking year-round interest in the yard. Shiloh Splash River Birch Tree(Betula nigra 'Shiloh Splash') has the most amazing variegated leaves, along with the charming exfoliating bark you love. They are native to this region, and they prefer its cool temperatures. They can be multi-trunked trees or grown to have just one trunk. The plant grows to be 40 to 50 feet tall, with a spread of 35 to 45 feet. 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. Yellow Birch. River Birch, Red Birch. Heritage River Birch. 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 These are units that are no longer needed in our rental operations, but are ready to work for a new owner. szechuanica x Betula pendula. Scientific Name: Betula nigra. It has a narrow, oval to pyramidal crown when young, spreading wider with age as several branches become dominant. Cherry Birch (Betula lenta) Cherry birch is a large tree that grows from a single main trunk. The trees' peeling bark is as attractive as the fall foliage. An alternate common name is "black" birch, which is reflected in the species name, nigra (Latin for "black"). Name: River Birch (Betula nigra), also known as water birch, or black birch. Betula species such as river birch trees (Betula nigra) are among the best selections for fall foliage specimens. as ash, birch, linden, and maple. 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. 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. They shed their bark like the paper birches. The fall foliage of paper birch trees is similar to that of gray birch trees (Betula populifolia). Plant it in full sun to partial shade. The common name of a leaf can change depending on your location. River birches are attractive when planted in groups, especially against a dark background. Betula nigra-- River Birch Page 2 Crown density: dense Figure 2. 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 is a reference to its bark, which starts out salmon but turns darker as it matures. If misused, however, damage may occur from trunk girdling or constriction, insects, diseases and excessive moisture. 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. Salmon-pink, smooth and shiny at first, the bark flakes and curls in cinnamon-brown to blackish sheets. Speaking more accurately, the bark is silvery-bronze in color with hints of gold. Description This is a medium to large-sized deciduous tree (25 – 30 meters) often having multiple trunks. 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 trees can be grown in planting zones 4 to 9. ... Birch, River Common Name: River Birch Betula nigra Tree Size: Large Leaf Type: Deciduous Comments: Works well as multiple trunk specimen. Reported to have other better features than the regular native river birch. These specimens are full-sun trees, but they will also tolerate partial shade. The veins of the leaves run directly to the teeth from the mid-vein of the leaf. Grow these two trees if you live in Canada or the northern tier of U.S. states (planting zones 2 to 6). River birch is drought sensitive and does not like hot, dry summers. It is a Latin derived word and it’s used to standardize a leaf for scientific research. Grow it in zones 4 to 7 in full sun to partial shade. Learn about several members of this species that you may want to grow if you value beautiful, versatile trees. Bark more showy than the regular native species. Vigorous and fast growing, this birch has a large, pyramidal, upright habit and bears diamond-shaped, glossy green leaves with silvery undersides, which turn yellow in fall. Grows well in wet areas. This is a reference to its bark, which starts out salmon but turns darker as … Aphids and sooty mold can be problems on river birches. River birch seed ripens in May and June. Jacquemonti Birch, White-barked Himalayan Birch. The university does not review, control or take responsibility for the contents of those sites. The UF|IFAS says the scientific name of a leaf is the same worldwide. 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). We also have a large selection of equipment for sale. ‘Heritage' is better than river birch seedlings produced by cuttings and tissue culture, and has been shown to outgrow the seedlings by 50 percent. 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"). Another of the attractive non-white birch trees is the yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis). David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. In early summer it moves on to witch hazel foliage, but will not infest any other plant. This exceptional cultivar of a native River Birch tree really takes the visual impact up several levels. Leaf Type and Shape - Simple, ovate to narrow-ovate. 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. Bark: Salmon-colored bark that peels; lighter in color than the native river birch. The bark of this tree is famous for another reason, too: as the material for birch-bark canoes. Several Seasons of Color From One Tough Tree Why Dura Heat® River Birch Trees? Thanks to its shallow root system, river birch is easy to transplant. The river birch is a popular tree for river banks and wet parts of the garden. The tree is the only birch found in the Southern U.S., ranging from Florida to eastern Texas, and is … Its attractive bark is especially striking in the winter when the rest of the tree is bare. The fall foliage color is yellow. Each beautiful leaf is different, and looks like a custom work of art up close. We have an inventory of over 500 heavy earthmoving machines and watering equipment, which we are continually upgrading. G. Lumis. Copyright 2020, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. ECCO Equipment operates out of 13 locations throughout the western US. Shaded area represents potential planting range. H. E. Grelen. The catkins of the River Birch are used by redpolls and pine siskins. Noteworthy Characteristics. Birch leaves are simple in form, with a single blade comprising the leaf. Betula nigra (River Birch) is a bushy deciduous tree prized for its incredible peeling bark. 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. Paper Birch, White Birch, Canoe Birch. The bark peels in a manner of thin curly sheets. Growth rate: fast Texture: medium Foliage Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. Its fall foliage color is yellow. Leaf Type: Deciduous Comments: Adapted to many soil and moisture conditions. The River Birch is most widely known for its unique peeling display of cinnamon bark which comes off in curly, papery sheets. A tall tree (60 to 80 feet) with a spread of about 30 feet, it has yellow fall foliage. Height: 40 to 70 feet. Both the foliage and the bark makes this specimen one of the fragrant plants. ‘Heritage' - Heat-loving, highly adaptive cultivar that won a Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Gold Medal in 1990. River birch (Betula nigra) is an adaptable tree growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 through 9. But it derives its common name not from the color of its foliage, but rather from the color of its peeling bark. Has good resistance to bronze birch borer. Plants benefit with a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch and supplemental water in dry periods. A North American native, 'Heritage' river birch can grow 50 to 80 feet tall but is often seen at 40 to 50 feet. Prefers loamy, well-drained soils, but works on dry sites as well. Leaf of river birch. Pests Bronze birch borer is a … River Birch Fungus. Native to the Eastern U.S., they will reach a height of 40 to 70 feet with a spread of 25 to 35 feet. 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