Species: Betula nigra
(bet'you-lah nye'grah)
River Birch; Red Birch
Found on Course Walks
Birch, Larch, Magnolias and Nut Trees at Arboretum
Map of plant locations
(Plant location data may be incomplete)
In Collection(s):
Cultivars
Most Betula nigra culivars are medium to large trees except for 'Fox Valley' which is a dwarf tree approximately 15' tall.
'City Slicker', 'Dura-Heat', 'Fox Valley', 'Graceful Arms', 'Heritage', 'Shiloh Splash', 'Summer Cascade', 'Suwanee', 'Tecumseh Compact'Ornamental Characteristics
Tree > 30 feet, Tree < 30 feet
40' - 70' (spread 40' - 60')
Deciduous
pyramidal-oval to rounded
Environmental Characteristics
Full sun
3b
Can tolerate acid to neutral soil (pH 5.0 to 7.4)
Tolerates salty soil
Medium to fast growth. best in consistently moist acid soil
Occasionally saturated or very wet soil; Consistently moist, well-drained soil; Occasional periods of dry soil
See graphic below
Insect Disease
resistant to bronze birch borer; leaf spot can cause defoliation; susceptible to leaf miner
Bare Root Transplanting
Moderately difficult
Other
native to US, from Massachusetts south to Florida, west to Kansas and Minnesota
Moisture Tolerance Graphic
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Moisture Tolerance
