River birch may be troubled by various fungal leaf spot diseases, resulting in early leaf drop during rainy summers. The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization. The species is valued for its relatively rapid growth, tolerance of wetness and some drought, unique curling bark, spreading limbs, and relative resistance to birch borer. It is a tree that has something to offer for every season.. This is a fast-growing tree that averages about 36 inches of growth per year. Full sun and partial shade are best for this tree, meaning it prefers a minimum of four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. Birches grow best in full sun to partial shade sites. River birches may grow up to 90 feet tall, but the average height is 40 to 70 feet, and 25 to 60 feet wide. Mature size is around 40' tall x 30' wide. Young trees have salmon- to rust-colored bark that matures to a silvery gray. Scientific Name: Betula nigra. Keep this in mind when growing and caring for your container birch tree and it will thrive. River Birch trees are native to South Eastern United State and as the name represents they are mainly found along the rivers and streams sides having inadequately drained soil. River birches are not particularly long-lived trees, however. This shade tree has highly symmetrical branching and … Photo by Karen Russ, ©2006 HGIC, Clemson Extension. The bark exfoliates on younger trees and opens to a lighter, salmon-colored trunk. The River Birch (Betula nigra) is the most planted Birch in the United States and the best one for hot climates. Heritage® — glossy green foliage, oval growth habit, 50 feet tall and 35 feet wide at maturity This native birch grows at a medium to rapid rate (30 to 40 feet over a 20-year period). Birches are considered “bleeders”, avoid pruning in late spring before leaves emerge. The trunk typically grows about 2 feet in diameter but occasionally will be much wider. It is one of the few heat-tolerant birches in a family of mostly cold-weather trees which do not thrive in USDA Zone 6 and up. Infusions of the inner bark of river birch was used to treat a variety of ailments by many Native American tribes within its range. This tree is available in single, twin or clump (multiple trunks) form. The river birch is a large deciduous tree, typically growing to 40 to 70 feet tall, but may grow as high as 90 feet. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. For one, think river birch gets BIG -- up to 80 feet tall and 50 feet wide. Mature size is around 40' tall x 30' wide. It will tolerate moderate flooding as well as some drought. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. It grows to 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Distribution: Eastern United States. These trees are great candidates for up-lighting. Lore Betula nigra 'Little King' reportedly does not produce catkins (flowers) as most birch trees do. It's world famous for its silky, smooth, light-tan bark that peels and exfoliates to reveal tantalizing glimpses of beautiful salmon-pink and cinnamon brown-colored patches beneath. Design Ideas Habitat: Found in bottomland areas and along streams in eastern Iowa. Prompt sprays of B.t. River birch wood was once used for ox yokes, wooden shoes and other products around the farm. It causes no lasting damage. A multi-trunk specimen is more handsome than single-trunk trees. River birch trees grow rather quickly, at a rate of about 1.5 feet per year. Young trees can add 3 or 4 feet in a single season! The leaves are alternate, double serrated, wedge-shaped, and sharply pointed. This fast and easy to grow River Birch Tree reaches a height of 40-50 feet with a width of 25-40 feet at its maturity. It tends to be short-lived (30 to 40 years) on many urban sites, possibly due to a shortage of water in restricted areas. River birch is drought sensitive and does not like hot, dry summers. River Birch is a semi-aquatic plant and is a landscape tree due to its rich colours and appealing drooping branches. Cultivated varieties of river birch have been selected for shorter heights, different shapes, improved bark color, and larger or variegated foliage. River Birch Care. The trunk of this tree often is short, branching into several large limbs that grow upward. It is a dense, compact tree with glossy green leaves and exfoliating bark. Margins are double-toothed and leaves are arranged alternately. Should not be planted in very alkaline soil. River birch was first cultivated in 1736. The species grows as far south as USDA Zone 9. Dura-Heat® (‘BNMTF’ PPAF) – This is a smaller cultivar that grows to 30 to 40 feet tall. Fall webworms may produce webbing on the ends of limbs from June through the end of summer, and feed on foliage within the webbing. This tree has a rounded canopy and grows to a maximum height of 70 feet and width of 60 feet. In 2002, one of its cultivars was even named the Urban Tree of the Year by the Society of Municipal Arborists. The river birch can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 4–9. It grows best in plant hardiness USDA hardiness zones 4-9. Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from HGIC. The exposed inner bark is gray-brown to cinnamon-brown to reddish brown. Debbie Shaughnessy, Former HGIC Information Specialist, Clemson UniversityBob Polomski, PhD, Extension Consumer Horticulturist, Clemson University, Joey Williamson, PhD, HGIC Horticulture Extension Agent, Clemson University. The river birch grows to a height of 40–70' and a spread of 40–60' at maturity. These roots will probably not crack or break concrete, but can easily find tiny cracks and hasten the process. Growing River Birch Trees in the Landscape However, pruning healthy branches should be done in the summer to provide adequate time for cuts to heal, because late season pruning will result in spring “bleeding”. Birch trees are relatively free of pests and diseases. Separate male and female flowers are borne on the same tree; the male in the form of a catkin, and the female in cone-like clusters that fall from the tree and are blown for long distances by the wind. Periodic pruning is required to remove these branches; this can be done at any time of year. Can grow as either a single- or multi-stemmed tree. Birch trees are renowned for their beautiful bark, and Heritage® River Birch is no exception. This tree grows at a medium to fast rate, with height increases of anywhere from 13" to more than 24" per year. A million members, donors, and partners support our programs to make our world greener and healthier. But as a landscape tree, it can be planted almost anywhere in the U.S. Adaptable and heat tolerant, this river birch will grow in a wide range of situations, including semi-aquatic conditions, but performs best in moist, slightly acidic soils. View Map. Once the root system establishes, this giant will become an excellent shade tree. River birch is a deciduous medium to large-sized native tree. The river birch grows well in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, wet and clay soils. River birch is a medium to tall tree, growing 60-80 feet at maturity and about 40 wide. Why Heritage® River Birch Trees? Plus, it's an elegant source of shade, … Hardiness: Zones 3 through 9 Growth Rate: Moderate to Rapid It tolerates a wide range of soil moisture conditions but prefers a more acidic soil. River birch have shallow root systems and surface roots are common. 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