River Birch
Betula nigra · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Betulaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental, Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Heritage (or similar exfoliating cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9; highly adaptable to heat and humidity compared to other Betula species.
About This Tree
A graceful, often multi-stemmed deciduous tree known for its pyramid-shaped crown in youth, becoming more rounded and irregular with age. It features a medium-density canopy and a moderate to fast growth rate. Most notable for its dramatically peeling, exfoliating bark.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate arrangement; diamond-shaped or ovate with doubly serrated margins and wedge-shaped bases. Medium green in summer, turning bright yellow in fall. Typically 1.5 to 3.5 inches long.
Bark Characteristics
Striking and multi-colored; young bark is salmon-pink to reddish-brown and peels away in papery layers to reveal lighter inner bark. Older bark on mature trunks becomes thick, deeply furrowed, and dark brown to blackish.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern United States; thrives in wet soils along riverbanks and floodplains.
Growing Season
Leafs out in early spring; produces catkins in mid-spring; retains green foliage through summer; turns yellow in autumn before dormancy.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers consistent moisture and tolerates wet, boggy soils well. It is more heat-tolerant than white-barked birches but requires acidic soil to prevent chlorosis.
Mature Size
Mature height of 40-70 feet with a spread of 40-60 feet. Growth rate is approximately 1.5-2 feet per year with a lifespan of 50-75 years.
Special Characteristics
Excellent resistance to the Bronze Birch Borer; highly valued for its ornamental winter interest due to peeling bark; effectively used for erosion control in riparian zones.
Wildlife & Ecology
Host plant for various moth larvae; provides seeds (nutlets) for songbirds like goldfinches and chickadees; branches provide nesting sites for birds; flowers attract early-season pollinators.
Notes
Found in the rose Garden section of La Cañada, Flintridge, California’s Descanso Gardens.