Betula nigraIndiana Native
River Birch

Betula nigra - Habit in the Summer

Family:

Betulaceae (Birch Family) 29

Genus:

Betula (Birch) 12

Plant Type:

Tree 583

Growth Forms:

Upright 594

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3 250

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 871

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 82

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 324

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:

Purdue Plant Doctor

Parts and Problems of Birch

Special Characteristics:

Naturalizing 118

Indiana Native 168

Notable Bark 168

Winter Interest 117

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

Betula nigra - Habit in the Summer

Habit in the Summer

Betula nigra - Habit in the Fall

Habit in the Fall

Betula nigra - Leaf

Leaf

Betula nigra - Mature Bark

Mature Bark

Betula nigra - Winter Interest- Younger Bark

Winter Interest- Younger Bark

Betula nigra - Fruit

Fruit

Betula nigra - Bark

Bark

Betula nigra - Bark & Flowers

Bark & Flowers

Betula nigra - Flower & Foliage

Flower & Foliage

Betula nigra - Foliage & Bark

Foliage & Bark

Betula nigra - Winter Habit

Winter Habit

Betula nigra - Winter Interest

Winter Interest

Betula nigra - Bark on a Young Tree

Bark on a Young Tree

Betula nigra - Bark on a Young Tree

Bark on a Young Tree

Betula nigra - Bark on a Young Tree

Bark on a Young Tree

Betula nigra - Bud

Bud

Betula nigra

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

Flowering

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Fruiting

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Other plants like this Betula nigra (River Birch)

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