Betula nigra
Photographs belong to the photographers who allow use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.
River Birch
Betulaceae
Plant Specifics
| Form: | Tree | |
| Size: | 50-80 ft tall by to 40 ft wide | |
| Life Span: | Long-lived perennial | |
| Flower Color: | Green,NA | |
| Fruit Color: | NA | |
| Phenology: | Deciduous. Inconspicuos blooms in spring. Moderately long-lived. | |
| Noted for: | Interesting bark, Fall color |
Landscaping
| Recommended Uses: | Specimen plant located where the salmon-colored shaggy bark can be seen. Use for shoreline erosion control. Has been used for mine reclamation due to its tolerance of acidic soils. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Considerations: | Although native to floodplains, it is not tolerant of extended periods of flooding. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Propagation: | Seed. Naturally transported by wind and water. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Availability: | Native nurseries, Quality nurseries | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light: | Full Sun, Part Shade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Stays Wet ----- to ----- Not wet but not extremely dry) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: | Stays Wet ----- to ----- Not wet but not extremely dry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance: | Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil or other substrate: | Clay, Loam, Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil pH: | Ph 6.5 and lower | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ecology
| Wildlife: |
Birds and small mammals consume seed. | |
| Insects: | Larval host for Mourning Cloak and Dreamy Duskywing butterflies | |
| Native Habitats: | River floodplains |
Distribution and Planting Zones
Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
8A 8B 9A
USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures
Comments
| Ethnobotany: | Cut as pulpwood. Has been used for cabinetry where fine or strong wood is not needed. | |
| General Comments: | Noted for its shaggy, peeling salmon-colored bark. The natural form is a single-trunked tree, but multi-trunked cultivars are common. Southernmost birch in the US. |