Betula Nigra Tree

Growth Habit

• River birch forms a pyramidal shape from multiple stems when young. As it matures, the main stems spread out from the center of the tree and it loses its pyramidal shape. A mature river birch has a spread of 25 to 35 feet and reaches heights between 40 and 50 feet with two to five main stems.

Appearance

• The leaves of river birch are dark green with a waxy sheen and serrated edges in a diamond shape. The bark is typically a grayish-brown color that verges on black. The bark naturally peels off of the trunk and exposes patches of peach, gray, purple or orange that add color to the tree. River birch's flowers are small catkins that grow roughly 3 inches long in early to mid spring.

Soil Requirements

• River birch is adapted to grow along stream banks and other areas where the soil becomes saturated for weeks at a time. It can tolerate soils with a heavy clay content but grows best in well-draining soils. The best soils for river birch have an acidic soil pH. In an alkaline soil, the river birch may suffer from iron deficiency that results in chlorosis. This condition causes the leaves to turn yellowish-green with dark green leaf veins. In extreme cases, chlorosis may cause the tree to drop its leaves.

Environmental Needs

• Grow the river birch in full or partial sun. The best growing environment is an open area near a water source. The tree has a broad root system that spreads aggressively and needs a considerable amount of open space to maintain healthy growth.

Considerations

• The branches of an older river birch tree may begin to droop and can obstruct traffic if they are planted near a sidewalk. If the tree is in a spot where it can't spread its roots, it will likely grow poorly. Avoid planting a river birch inside a tree well or near foundation walls to ensure the root system has room to expand.