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River Birch

Betula nigra

  • Unique, peeling, cinnamon-colored bark
  • Fast-growing
  • Year-round color standing out in fall and winter
  • Highest deer-resistant rating tier
  • Grows 40' to 70' with 40' to 60' spread
  • Zones 4 to 9
  • Can't ship to: AK, AZ, HI
Guaranteed Healthy Delivery
Item # 1015 | Shipping Height: 3' - 4'
*Mem. Price:$5.98
Reg. Price:$9.00
Quantity:

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Zones 4 - 9
Zones 4 - 9

Hardiness Zones: Zones 4 - 9
The River Birch can be expected to grow in the zones shown in color in the arborday.org zone map.VIEW MAP

ornamental tree
ornamental tree

Type of tree:
The River Birch falls into the following type(s): Ornamental Trees, Shade Trees

40' - 70' High
40' - 70' High

Mature Height:
The River Birch grows to be 40' - 70' feet in height.

40' - 60' Spread
40' - 60' Spread

Mature Spread:
The River Birch has a spread of about 40' - 60' at full maturity.

Medium to Fast Growth
Medium to Fast Growth

Growth Rate:
This tree grows at a medium to fast growth rate. [More about this.]

Multiple Exposures
Multiple Exposures

Sun:
This birch does well in full sun, partial shade.

Various Soils
Various Soils

Soil:
The River Birch grows in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well drained, wet, wide range, clay soils.

Oval Shape
Oval Shape

Shape:
This birch has oval, pyramidal, upright or erect shape.

More Info
More Info

Attributes:
The River Birch has become a popular landscape tree because of its distinctive bark and graceful crown. It also is said to be the Birch most resistant to borers, and can tolerate drier conditions than other Birches. Its small but plentiful seeds are appreciated by a wide range of songbirds.

Wildlife Value:
The catkins of the River Birch are used by redpolls and pine siskins. The foliage is eaten by deer and other browsers.

History/Lore/Use:
The River Birch is one of the 12 Birch species that extend southward from the Arctic Circle. It is the only one that grows naturally at low elevations in the southeastern part of the United States. Mud is a natural bed for the seedlings and the tree is excellent for holding stream banks and thus helping to keep erosion in check.

Moisture:
While it will tolerate moderate flooding, it also has some drought resistance.

Leaves:
This trees leaves are 1-1/2 to 3 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide with tiny hairs on stem and the underside of a stout midrib.

Flower Color:
Flowers are brown or green.

Bloom Time:
The flowers bloom in April to May..

Fruit Description:
The fruit is elongated, 1 to 3 inches long.

The combination of fast growth, unique bark, and great fall color make the River Birch a constant member's favorite. Its cinnamon-colored, exfoliating bark is spectacular in the winter. The lustrous, medium-green leaves of this birch turn yellow in fall adding color to your landscape year round. Of all the birches, the River Birch is the most borer resistant. This tree tolerates both wet soils and dry summers, but be sure to avoid very alkaline soil to insure a healthy tree. Grows to 40' to 70', 40'-60' spread.(zones 4-9)

Arborday.org Hardiness Zone Map
Spring Shipping Fall Shipping
Color Zone Approximate
Ship Dates 		Order
Deadline 		Approximate
Ship Dates 		Order
Deadline
  2 04/15–05/30 05/14 11/01–11/26 11/12
  3 04/15–05/30 05/14 11/01–11/26 11/12
  4 04/15–05/30 05/14 11/01–11/26 11/12
  5 04/15–05/30 05/14 11/01–11/26 11/12
  6 03/19–05/12 05/07 11/01–12/03 11/19
  7 03/11–05/07 04/30 11/05–12/10 11/26
  8 02/26–04/30 04/23 11/05–12/10 11/26
  9 02/26–04/30 04/23 11/05–12/10 11/26
  10 02/26–04/30 04/23 11/05–12/10 11/26
We're sorry, but this tree can't be shipped to AK, AZ, HI , territories, or countries outside the U.S. This is due to the agricultural laws within these locations.

When you order trees from The Arbor Day Foundation, your order is guaranteed to arrive in a good, healthy condition or we'll replace them at no charge. Your trees will be shipped at a suitable time for planting.

Each tree is guaranteed to grow, or we'll replace it at one half the original price, plus shipping and handling.

The benefits of bare-root trees

Our trees are delivered with natural bare roots which have been dipped in hydrating gel prior to shipment to keep the roots moist and healthy. As their abundant, fibrous roots aren't confined by a container, bare-root trees get off to a more vigorous start compared to containerized roots which typically need more time to adjust to transplanting. Bare-root trees typically surpass the size of larger containerized trees in only a few years.

  Standard Dwarf
  Mature
Height		 Space
Needed		 Mature
Height		 Space
Needed
Apple 20' - 25' 35' x 35'

10' **

 10' x 10' ++
Peach 20' 20' x 20' 8' - 10' 10' x 10'
Sweet Cherry 30' 20' x 25' 12' - 15' 10' x 10'
Sour Cherry 20' 20' x 20' 8' 10' x 10'
Pear 20' 20' x 20' 12' - 15' 12' x 12'
Apricot 20' 20' x 20'    
Plum 20' 20' x 20' 8' - 10' 10' x 10'
      ** semi-dwarf 12' - 15'
++ semi-dwarf 12' x 12'

Natural Root and Containerized Trees

Natural root (also called bare root) trees are shipped without soil around their roots. They are shipped when dormant in the spring and fall seasons. We dip the roots in a hydrating gel to keep them moist during shipping.

There are a number of advantages to natural root trees:

  • They are very affordable.
  • Their roots re-establish themselves well once they are planted in their permanent location.
  • They are easy to plant at the correct depth.

The Urban Horticulture Institute at Cornell University has an interesting article about the benefits of planting natural root trees. Look for the PDF entitled Creating the Urban Forest: The Bare Root Method

Potted (also called containerized) trees come in 4" containers.


If you have questions, please call (888) 448-7337 or E-mail Member Services.