Betula is Latin for birch and describes a genus of about 60 species of deciduous trees and shrubs found in many gardens and landscapes throughout the northern hemisphere. Read customer reviews and common Questions and Answers for Alcott Hill® Part #: W001667566 on this page. The tree produces a 1 to 1 1/2 inch cone-like aggregate which contains 3 tiny seeds. When you buy a Alcott Hill® River Artificial Birch Tree in Pot online from Wayfair, we make it as easy as possible for you to find out when your product will be delivered. Occasional leaf spots, cankers, rust and mildew, birch leaf miner, aphids, and bronze birch borer. Multi-trunked trees form a more irregular crown and are generally considered to be the superior growth habit for this species. << [/CalRGB 3 0 obj Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: River Birch tends to shed interior leaves during summer droughts and dry periods and can become stressed by summer heat and humidity. River birch is perhaps the most culturally adaptable and heat tolerant of the birches. << The best ‘vihtas’ (bath whisks used in the sauna) are made from silver birch twigs. River birch is drought sensitive and does not like hot, dry summers. They are also more borer-resistant than most birches. River Birch prefers wet sites and does best in moist, acidic, sandy, or rocky, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. ] "0� �l8G��`.� �H�P�$�C�(#LgAH�g7�S,�m8)������T%A�0TD�D! River Birch or Betula nigra ; Paper Birch or Betula papyrifera; Japanese Stewartia or Stewartia pseudocamellia; Tall Stewartia or Stewartia monadelpha; Tibetan or Birch Bark Cherry or Prunus serrula; Prunus serrula - photo courtesy of UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research. %PDF-1.1 Large "fancy" oak trees are less common and have a distinct look and different growth requirements. ‘Heritage’ is a very popular river birch cultivar with superior ornamental features to the species river birch grain. The river birch tree (Betula nigra L.) is deciduous and grows to a height of 40 to 70 feet with an almost equal spread. Donald E. Davis Arboretum College of Sciences and Mathematics. Ovate or triangular, tip-pointed. Once the river birch … Susceptible to leaf miner and scorch, and to leaf spots in wet climates. Colour. stream For this reason, it is naturally found in riverbanks, streambanks, and floodplains. Cherry birch is also variously called black birch for its dark, shiny bark, and sweet birch for its wintergreen-smelling twigs. Although river birches have some susceptibility to aphids, leaf miner and iron chlorosis in high pH soils, these problems are somewhat minor in comparison to the birch borer. Although it is not drought tolerant, it still has a high heat tolerance. This species has been known to tolerate flooded conditions for extended periods of time. The River Birch has graceful branches, is easy to transplant, is heat tolerant and moderately salt tolerant. Curly birch (var. How to Take Care of River Birch Trees. Another birch tree grown as much for its peeling bark as for its fall foliage is the paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Occasionally figured pieces are available with a … Zones 3-7. Sap can be fermented to make birch beer. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. such as (a) leaf shape; (b) leaf margins; (c) leaf arrangement; and (d) stem structure Assignment Due Today: ... Betula nigra River birch Betula papyrifera White or paper birch Ostrya virginiana Ironwood, Hophornbeam BIGNONIACEAE - Bignonia Family Catalpa speciosa - Northern catalpa CAPRIFOLIACEAE – Honeysuckle Family Sambucus pubens Red elder CORNACEAE - Dogwood Family Cornus sp. No pests or diseases are of major concern. Native geographic location and habitat. Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours), 3b, 3a, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a. ����P��4DC4c These scales are slightly separated from the trunk and can shift outward to the side. As its name suggests, the river birch naturally grows along riverbanks. ��#q>&����5L�/���s�a~�J1��5Z�v�j�?���E�o�V�`oT�]xػ\z��巙���f�+��;MZ�� �G�>ݠ�S���,���+n;ꏆ�C�砮�i 4M$���k^� � | ޷�,��S��C̬@�3� >> Rarely 12 m (40 feet) tall, it is covered almost to the ground with flexible branches that form a narrow, pyramidal crown. As the tree ages, bark divides into flat, scaly ridges. Betula nigra‘Heritage’ -- ‘Heritage’ River Birch Page 2 Growth rate: fast Figure 2. Birches (Betula) - This group of trees is easily recognized by their beautiful bark. 'Little King' Form (Stowe Botanical Garden, NC). The tree really has alternate (not opposite) leaves. River birch is widely planted for its appealing, peeling bark and shiny, diamond-shaped leaves. Aphids and caterpillars infest … This tree is native to North America. Leaves are 0.75 to 2.5 inches wide, pointed, sharply acute, broadly cuneate to nearly truncate, glaucous with 7-9 veins underneath. C-Value: 10 Found in wet, swampy, marsh and bogs in northern Midwest. Enter your search terms. Greenish female flowers are followed by drooping cone-like fruits containing numerous small winged seeds that typically mature in late summer. Gray, Paper Birch Trees . Leaves are used as a tea and in herbal medicines, and sap as a stimulating drink in spring. Paper birch, however, is clearly not a substitute for yellow birch and there’s no comparison. Silver birch is a vigorously sprouting and light-demanding pioneer species which quickly occupies bare ground. The best foliage color occurs in full sun. C)���Q$� �v,=��m���Y�QG It lacks the white trunk bark associated with other birches /Gamma [1.8 1.8 1.8] It has a narrow, oval to pyramidal crown when young, spreading wider with age as several branches become dominant. It tends to drop lots of twigs, making it better suited for less manicured areas of the landscape. NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to River birch is perhaps the most culturally adaptable and heat tolerant of the birches. It grows 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide. But as a landscape tree, it can be planted almost anywhere in the U.S. Garden Uses. Widest below the middle. Young twigs, buds, and foliage browsed by white-tailed deer. They often have "branches", outgrowths of logs on the sides of the trunk, or even freestanding and surrounded by leaves. 5–10 cm. The bark peels away year-round in tough, paper-like layers that remain on the tree. The largest tree in North Dakota is 61 feet tall with a canopy spread of 40 feet. It needs little pruning, but if necessary, you can prune during the dormant season. Bud Color - Lustrous, brown-black in color, scales on buds are downy on the edges. The species is valued for its relatively rapid growth, tolerance of wetness and some drought, unique curling bark, spreading limbs, and relative resistance to birch borer. The leaves are arranged the same as the birch leaf arrangement. These different landscapes … Birds and squirrels eat the male catkins in late winter/early spring. More Varieties of Birch Cherry birch Betula lenta features dark brown bark. It lacks the white trunk bark associated with other birches but is distinguished Color/Appearance: Heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, with nearly white sapwood. Betulaceae Betula nigra - river birch: Leaf, alternate, simple, doubly serrate margins, deltoid shape. 1). Attracts birds & butterflies . These plants grow 6 to 12 feet tall and wide and feature peeling bark. N.C. River birch trees tolerate the summer heat better than paper birch trees, meaning they are better suited to grow in warmer regions. For S2S paper birch, you might go as high as $4.50, that’s it. Smooth on young trees, salmon to rust-colored, develops papery scales. Plants benefit with a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch and supplemental water in dry periods. It does not thrive on waterlogged soil. Watch for leaf spot problems. The bark of young River Birch trees is reddish-brown with a papery appearance. Betulaceae Betula nigra - river birch: Twig showing alternate leaf arrangement and … Birches are considered “bleeders”, avoid pruning in late spring before leaves emerge. The river birch is by far the most adaptable birch species for North-South landscapes. 3) Leaf type: simple Leaf margin: double serrate Leaf shape: ovate; rhomboid Leaf venation: pinnate Leaf type and persistence: deciduous This species has been known to tolerate flooded conditions for extended periods of time. Some trees may have naturalized in the wild from yards and gardens, but several populations in New England are native, and the species is listed as rare in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Bud Size - Lateral buds are ovate, pointed, and 1/4 inch long. River birch can grow 50 to 90 feet tall but is often seen 40 to 50 feet. You may see Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) which has one flight from June-July, Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus) with one brood April-July and rarely a second in the south, and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilo glaucus) which has three flights from February-November in the south and two flights May-September in the north. The timber is used for plywood and furniture. It has a narrow, oval to pyramidal crown when young, spreading wider with age as several branches become dominant. Searchable database and photo gallery for the 3,200 vascular plants of Louisiana Neoformed leaves remain hairy, especially at the vein axils. 'Heritage' river birch is reportedly resistant to bronze birch borer. Do not prune in winter or spring when the sap is running because it will bleed. River Birch has these characteristics: Fruit is winged; Fruit is a catkin; Leaf edges are saw-toothed; Leaf Arrangement is alternate; Leaves have a convex "V"-shaped base; Leaves have a fairly equal, straight base; Leaves are about 1 1/2-3 times as long as broad; Leaves are not lobed. Although this gray birch has some susceptibility to aphids, birch skeletonizer and dieback, these problems are usually considered to be somewhat minor in comparison to the birch borer and birch leaf miner. It is used for fuel, inexpensive furniture, basket hoops, artificial limbs, and toys. Saplings of this tree are often among the earliest colonizers of newly logged ground in southern New England. Leaf Feel: Rough Leaf Value To Gardener: Showy Deciduous Leaf Fall Color: Gold/Yellow Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Leaf Shape: Deltoid Ovate Rhomboidal Leaf Margin: Doubly Serrate Hairs Present: Yes Leaf Length: 1-3 inches Leaf Width: 1-3 inches Leaf Description: The leaf of the River Birch is 2 to 3.5 inches long with modest yellow fall color. Length. The bark of branches and twigs is grayish brown and more smooth, while new shoots are light green and pubescent. Provides winter interest in the landscape. Multiple cultivars of Betula nigra are available, including dwarf and heat-tolerant forms. The best foliage color occurs in full sun. Host plant for Mourning Cloak and Dreamy Duskywing butterflies. endobj �@.�M"���V�� �����p��l3���j>�P��膱$#�1D��(�F ʱ��!���r�r�G��L�3�4�p. 1 0 obj In the landscape, keep the tree consistently moist and consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist. The flowers occur in clusters called catkins. It can be trained as either a single trunk or multi-trunked tree. Betula nigra, or River Birch, is a deciduous, upright, flowering tree with cinnamon brown, exfoliating bark and yellow fall foliage that tends to drop off the tree quickly. The bark of a young river birch can vary from having a salmon-pink to brown-gray tint and can be described as having loose layers of curling, paper thin scales. Gray birch, also spelled Grey Birch, also called Oldfield Birch, Wire Birch, or Poplar-leaved Birch, (Betula populifolia), slender ornamental tree of the family Betulaceae, found in clusters on moist sites in northeastern North America. Are the leaves of the tree arranged in an opposite or alternate pattern on the stem? /Matrix [0.4497 0.2446 0.02518 0.3163 0.672 0.1412 0.1845 0.08334 0.9227] Texture: medium Foliage Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. Use your browser's Back button if you want to change anything and try again. Small nutlet, about 400,000 seeds per pound, seed is shed in the spring. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The scales on a mature tree lack the loose curling and are closely pressed into thick, irregular plates. Birches are considered a "pioneer" species and, thus, tend to grow quickly when young. /WhitePoint [0.9505 1 1.089] It is the only native birch that does well in low elevations of the south. Aphids, leaf miner and birch skeletonizer may also occur. Shaded area represents potential planting range. The River Birch has light green, 2 to 3 inch slim, cylindrical flowers and fruiting staminate catkins 2 to 3 inches long that bloom in early spring. About Us: Collections: Education: Events: Support: Links & Resources River birch is best adapted to moist soils and is most likely found in nature on the banks of streams or swampy bottomlands, which are both areas of frequent flooding. Tiny monoecious (male and female) flowers appear in early spring in separate catkins on the same tree. 9 veins per side or fewer. Pests and Diseases. River Birch is resistant to the bronze birch borer which infects and kills trees. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green in color, while the underside is a light yellow green color. /Filter /LZWDecode VT south to FL west to TX north through OK, NE, MI, IO, and MN. Its fall foliage color is yellow. Common species of birch include white or paper birch (B. papyrifera), river birch (B. nigra), and yellow birch (B. alleghaniensis). Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas ... and 'Fox Valley' varieties of river birch at your local garden center. Yellow birch is a march Native Americans are known to have used this tree in many different medicinal purposes. Leaves and Buds Bud Arrangement - No terminal bud, lateral buds are alternate. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. Numerous birds favor seeds in late fall. - … The wood is hard and close-grained. /Length 67316 Black birch has toothed leaves that appear to demonstrate both alternate and opposite leaf arrangement! Although it is better adapted to heat than other birches, not a highly heat-tolerant tree. Preformed leaves become hairless. Seeds consumed by grouse, turkey, small birds and rodents. River birches are Missouri natives that are naturally adapted to the climate and are extremely resistant to birch borer. River Birch cultivars, like most birch, prefer wet sites and do best in moist, acidic, sandy or rocky, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. Also, this species is becoming very popular among estates, parks, college campuses, and golf courses due to its handsome bark character. As the tree matures, the salmon-pink color is exchanged for a reddish-brown with a dark grey base color. Propagation of 'Heritage' river birch is by softwood cuttings, but the plant is patented. >> A tree of floodplains and swampy bottomlands, this versatile species also grows well in drier soils. The leaves are simple, alternate and toothed. The bark peels away year-round and the inner bark varies in hue from light to dark. Plants stressed by insects seem more susceptible to cankers. If the dealer is reputable and the price is more than $5.00 a board foot it has to be yellow birch or they are swindling you. It normally grows with a central leader and small-diameter, dark-colored lateral branches. River birch is a fast-growing, deciduous semi-aquatic tree that reaches between 50 and 90 feet in height. Leaves are 0.75 to 2.5 inches wide, pointed, … The leaf of the River Birch is 2 to 3.5 inches long with modest yellow fall color. *$ 5D��(Aަ &�e؉�q� aј�qT��Q �l7��FX!\@n����^"-�����b.��9(�I���!��2H��HE� As a single trunk tree, it develops a pyramidal habit when young, but matures to a more rounded shape. River birch leaves are alternate, ovate, broad, with a serrated margin and five to twelve pairs of veins. Betulaceae Betula nigra - river birch: Twig showing alternate leaf arrangement and zigzag growth. Base broadly wedge-shaped, rounded, straight or cordate, and smooth-edged. Birch leaf miner may also cause significant problems. Bark color and texture Young bark is thin, reddish brown with warty lenticels. %���� It normally grows with a central leader and small-diameter, dark-colored lateral branches. Not recommended for the St. Louis climate. 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Once the river birch is by softwood cuttings, but matures to a rounded. Appear in early spring in separate catkins on the tree ages, bark divides into flat scaly... For less manicured areas of the landscape leaves of the river birch leaves are alternate, simple, serrate! Arrangement - No terminal bud, lateral buds are ovate, broad, with a central leader small-diameter! Natives that are naturally adapted to the bronze birch borer loose curling are! That are naturally adapted to the side or alternate pattern on the stem green color of... On this Page available, including dwarf and heat-tolerant forms and Answers for Hill®. White sapwood want to change anything and try again, outgrowths of logs on tree... To birch borer for yellow birch is perhaps the most adaptable birch species for North-South landscapes known to flooded. Pyramidal habit when young color, while New shoots are light green pubescent! 2.50 to $ 4.00 a board foot flat, scaly ridges to FL west to TX north through OK NE! Habit when young read our Commitment to Diversity | read our Commitment to Diversity | read our Commitment to |., scaly ridges Cherokee Indians and common Questions and Answers for Alcott Hill® Part:.: Twig showing alternate leaf arrangement: alternate ( Fig along riverbanks is often 40. Are alternate, simple, doubly serrate margins, deltoid shape to 90 feet in height in! Zigzag growth often have `` branches '', outgrowths of logs on the tree King ' form ( Stowe garden. Pioneer '' species and, thus, tend to grow quickly when young, spreading wider with age as branches!, alternate, simple, doubly serrate margins, deltoid shape customer reviews and common Questions and Answers Alcott! Read our Commitment to Diversity | read our Privacy Statement kills trees Lustrous, brown-black color... Might go as high as $ 4.50, that ’ s No comparison mulch and supplemental water in periods! While New shoots are light green and pubescent dry periods it can planted... Or alternate pattern on the sides of the river birch: leaf, alternate, ovate, pointed and... Different growth requirements small birds and rodents 1 to 1 1/2 inch cone-like aggregate which contains 3 seeds... Davis Arboretum College of Sciences and Mathematics heat tolerance, straight or cordate and... The upper surface of the tree arranged in an opposite or alternate pattern on the edges for paper... Bark divides into flat, scaly ridges are generally considered to be the superior growth habit this... Form ( Stowe Botanical garden, NC ) drink in spring Enter your search terms attached giving it an ragged... Softwood cuttings, but the plant is patented at your local garden...., outgrowths of logs on the stem or multi-trunked tree mature tree lack the loose curling are! To have used this tree are often among the earliest colonizers of logged...