Betula nigraIndiana Native
River Birch

Family:

Betulaceae (Birch Family) 28

Genus:

Betula (Birch) 12

Plant Type:

Tree 569

Growth Forms:

Upright 572

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3 231

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 838

Flower Notes:

Brown (Male and female catkins in the spring; not ornamentally important)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Lustrous green foliage in summer); Yellow (Yellow fall foliage)

Stem Notes:

essentially glabrous, warty, reddish brown stems

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Small nutlet, ripens and sheds seeds in spring; not ornamentally important)

Ultimate Height:

40-70 feet

Ultimate Spread:

40-60 feet

Bloom Times:

Fruiting Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Medium to wet 56

Soil Notes:

Especially well adapted to wet soils; does not do well in dry situations; leaf chlorosis develops on alkaline soils

Range:

Eastern United States

Maintenance:

Low 265

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves (1.5-3.5" long) are alternate, rhombic-ovate, sharp pointed, doubly serrate, base wedge shaped, lustrous medium to dark green above and glabrous below. Chestnut-brown imbricate buds are 0.25" long. Male catkins (2-3" long) are dark brown. Shining, cream, brown, orange, and reddish exfoliating bark.

Ecological Functions:

Special Characteristics:

Additional Information

Graceful tree, interesting for its curling bark, and especially well adapted to wet soils. Immune to the bronze birch borer, which is a serious problem for the native Betula papyrifera in the Midwest. This species prefers full sun and is quite heat tolerant, but does not have tolerance for drought. If pruning is required, prune in summer or during the dormant season.

Plant Photo Gallery

Habit in the Summer

Habit in the Fall

Leaf

Mature Bark

Winter Interest- Younger Bark

Fruit

Bark

Bark & Flowers

Flower & Foliage

Foliage & Bark

Winter Habit

Winter Interest

Bark on a Young Tree

Bud

When Betula nigra has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Fruiting

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

145 Betula nigra found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2015_00300*A	REC
2	2015_00949*A	PGMD	Heritage Plant
3	2015_00382*A	REC
4	ORIG_2412*A	KNOY
5	ORIG_7300*A	PGW
6	2009_13398*A	HORTPARK
7	ORIG_6565*A	HANS
8	2009_13957*A	HORTPARK
9	2018_00914*A	HILL
10	2015_00303*A	REC
11	ORIG_2975*A	PMU
12	2009_13952*A	HORTPARK
13	2015_00425*A	FRNY
14	ORIG_7298*A	PGW
15	2013_01034*A	HORTPARK
16	ORIG_7401*A	ADDL
17	ORIG_6832*A	HORT
18	ORIG_6564*A	HANS
19	ORIG_1113*A	MEMMALL
20	2018_00915*A	HILL
21	2010_09520*A	PICK
22	2009_13951*A	HORTPARK
23	2015_00375*A	REC
24	2009_13956*A	HORTPARK
25	2015_00424*A	FRNY
26	2015_00302*A	REC
27	2009_13959*A	HORTPARK
28	2009_13960*A	HORTPARK
29	2018_01089*B	HORTPARK
30	2009_13965*A	HORTPARK
31	ORIG_6833*A	HORT
32	2015_00373*A	REC
33	2015_00299*A	REC
34	2009_13948*A	HORTPARK
35	2015_00947*A	PGMD
36	2015_00379*A	REC
37	2015_00380*A	REC
38	ORIG_6145*A	PVA
39	2016_00093*A	DUHM
40	ORIG_1158*A	PGU
41	2009_13955*A	HORTPARK
42	2009_13964*A	HORTPARK
43	2009_13954*A	HORTPARK
44	ORIG_6835*A	HORT
45	2009_13962*A	HORTPARK
46	2009_13146*A	HORTPARK
47	ORIG_6834*A	HORT
48	ORIG_7299*A	PGW
49	2009_13953*A	HORTPARK
50	2009_13961*A	HORTPARK
51	2015_00945*A	PGMD
52	2015_00377*A	REC
53	2018_01089*A	HORTPARK
54	ORIG_2938*A	STEW
55	ORIG_1116*A	MEMMALL
56	2010_09289*A	PICK
57	2013_01035*A	HORTPARK
58	ORIG_6511*A	HANS
59	2015_00371*A	REC
60	2013_01036*A	HORTPARK
61	2015_00376*A	REC
62	ORIG_1117*A	MEMMALL
63	2015_00381*A	REC
64	2015_00374*A	REC
65	ORIG_2939*A	STEW
66	2015_00372*A	REC
67	ORIG_3167*A	IAF
68	2015_00298*A	REC
69	ORIG_6142*A	PVA
70	2010_09291*A	PICK
71	ORIG_0834*A	SMTH
72	2015_00946*A	PGMD
73	2018_00504*A	ADM
74	2009_13947*A	HORTPARK
75	2009_13950*A	HORTPARK
76	2009_13949*A	HORTPARK
77	ORIG_1762*A	JNSN
78	2015_00383*A	REC
79	2015_00301*A	REC
80	ORIG_2937*A	STEW
81	ORIG_6144*A	PVA
82	2015_00304*A	REC
83	2013_00192*A	HORTPARK
84	2015_00378*A	REC
85	2015_00948*A	PGMD
86	ORIG_7400*A	ADDL
87	2009_13963*A	HORTPARK
88	2009_13399*A	HORTPARK
89	2009_13958*A	HORTPARK
90	2009_13397*A	HORTPARK
91	2013_01033*A	HORTPARK
92	ORIG_6836*A	HORT
93	2018_01163*A	HORTPARK
94	2018_01168*A	HORTPARK
95	2018_01171*A	HORTPARK
96	2021_00072*B	WTHR
97	2023_00040*A	BREQ
98	2023_00040*B	BREQ
99	2023_00040*C	BREQ
100	2023_00040*E	BRUN
101	2023_00040*F	BRUN
102	2023_00185*A	HORTPARK	Heritage Plant Dedicated/Memorial Plant
103	2023_00185*B	HORTPARK
104	2023_00185*C	HORTPARK
105	2023_00254*A	HORTPARK
106	2023_00291*A	HANS
107	2022_15775*A	HORTPARK
108	2023_00442*A	PSF
109	2023_00442*B	PSF
110	2023_00442*C	PSF
111	2023_00442*D	AR
112	2023_00442*E	AR
113	2023_00442*F	AR
114	2023_00442*G	AR
115	2023_00442*H	AR
116	2023_00442*I	AR
117	2023_00442*J	AR
118	2023_00442*K	AR
119	2023_00442*L	HORTPARK
120	2020_01171*A	HORTPARK
121	2020_01171*B	HORTPARK
122	2020_01171*C	HORTPARK
123	2023_00596*A	WANG
124	2023_00596*B	WANG
125	2023_00802*A	ADM
126	2023_00802*B	ADM
127	2023_00802*C	ADM
128	2024_00023*A	HORTPARK
129	2024_00023*B	HORTPARK
130	2024_00023*C	HORTPARK
131	2024_00151*B	HARR
132	2024_00151*C	HARR
133	2024_00151*D	HARR
134	2024_00151*E	HARR
135	2024_00168*A	CONV
136	2024_00168*B	CONV
137	2024_00168*C	CONV
138	2024_00195*A	AR
139	PUI_ORIG_00034*A
140	PUI_ORIG_00147*A
141	PUI_ORIG_00223*A
142	PUI_ORIG_00265*A
143	PUI_ORIG_00362*A
144	PUI_ORIG_00378*A
145	PUI_ORIG_00457*A