Arkansas Tree Database

River Birch

River Birch

Scientific name:

Betula Nigra

Size:

35' tall by 25' wide

Leaves:

alternate, simple, 1.5"-3.5" long, somewhat triangular or diamond-shaped, with margins double-toothed

Flowers:

inconspicuous

Fruit:

small nutlet in 1" cone-like catkin, eaten by birds; May

Fall Interest:

yellowish; deciduous

Culture:

sun; moist, fertile, acidic soil; fast growing

Disease/Insect:

iron chlorosis from alkaline soil

Use:

specimen or massing, rain garden; messy tree not good near foundation or high-use area; low lumber value

Cultivars:

Heritage (TM), Dura-Heat (TM)

Notes:

bark peels back in tough, curling, papery layers which persist; on older trees bark becomes thick, deeply furrowed, and reddish brown; often multi-trunked; may drop most of its leaves during hot dry periods; Arkansas' only native birch

Resources:

https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/river-birch.aspx

Click thumbnail to enlarge images

River birch bark River birch bark on trunks River birch flower River birch leaves, showing double-toothed margins River birch foliage with flowers River birch tree in landscape River birch tree in habitat River birch twigs with buds River birch twig with buds River birch twig with buds