The river birch is a fast - growing , water system - love , deciduous tree diagram , native to much of the United States . Its scientific name is Betula nigra . Unlike other birches that have white-hot barks , the river birch ’s bark is ruby-red brown and Robert Floyd Curl Jr. and peels naturally , adding optic interest group to the plant . River birch is also more pest - resistant than other birch , making it a popular and relatively fear - costless pick for landscaping .
Description
River birch are tall , elegant - looking tree . They have cinnamon - color bark that peels from the trunk . The leave-taking are ellipse , around 1 - 1/2 to 3 inches long , and 1 to 2 inches all-encompassing with slightly serrated perimeter and are shiny and medium green in color . The lilliputian flowers are immature or chocolate-brown and are unimpressive and inconspicuous . The fruit conformation as 3 - inch long clump of seeds called catkins .
Growth Habits
This is a tight - growing and dauntless tree diagram , often place on more than 2 feet of growth per year . They are at their estimable in hardiness zones 4 through 7 , but will grow to zone 9 , base on the United States Agricultural Department Hardiness Zone map . The plant is relatively dead - lived , survive only 30 to 40 years in urban environments . The tree thrives in damp conditions , hence the name river birch . The branches of the tree incline to droop . River birch often produce multiple drawing card trunks from the same flora .
Form
River birch develop to between 40 and 70 feet tall , and typically diffuse to 40 to 60 feet wide . Though river birch grow quite tall , the trunk of the tree usually remains relatively thin . The canopy of the tree is more or less oval mold and fairly dense .
Culture
River birch rod grow well in full sun , however , they may digest partial shade . While they can cover some drought conditions , river birches prefer surface-active agent stain and will grow easily if irrigated regularly . The dirt should not be too alkaline and can array from arenaceous loam to corpse . Because of the upright nature of this tree diagram , it can be plant closer to mansion than other tree diagram . Young trees will require pruning of the lower branches to prevent them from drooping to the ground .
Uses
The river birch is a democratic landscape tree diagram and is often used as a centerpiece in the chiliad . Its distinctive bark and graceful visual aspect make it a desirable addition to the landscape . Because it is the most resistant of the birch to slow insect , particularly the bronze birch borer , it is often choose over other birch species . As it appreciates crocked condition , it can also be used to control erosion along riverbanks .
