Heritage River Birch

Tree Overview:

As its name suggests, the river birch naturally grows along river banks. But as a landscape tree, it can be planted almost anywhere in the U.S. 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.

Height: 40 ft
Width: 30 ft
Fall Color: Yellow

Care details

Transplanting should be done in early spring. Water to keep the soil wet or moist a few inches below the surface. Do not prune your tree during the growing season. Rather, wait until the end of the growing season in the fall.

Leaf/needle description

The leaves are alternate, ovate, with a serrated margin and five to twelve pairs of veins. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green in color, while the underside can be described as having a light yellow-green color.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions

The flowers are wind-pollinated catkins long, the male catkins pendulous, the female catkins erect. The fruit is unusual among birches in maturing in late spring; it is composed of numerous tiny winged seeds packed between the catkin bracts.