River Birch Tree – Multi Trunk
Betula nigra
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-9b  Find Your Zone
Plant Type:Â Deciduous Tree
Height at Maturity:Â 40-50′
Width at Maturity:Â 30-40′
Spacing:Â 15-20′ for privacy screens; 50 feet for space between trees
Spacing:Â 15-20′ for privacy screens; 50 feet for space between trees
Growth Habit / Form:Â Upright, Pyramidal – More rounded as a single-trunk tree
Growth Rate:Â Very Fast! Several feet per year
Flower Color: Â Produce brown catkins in spring
Flowering Period:Â Spring
Flower Type:Â Catkins
Fragrant Flowers:Â No
Foliage Color:Â Â Medium to Dark Green depending on soil pH
Fall Foliage Color:Â Yellow
Fall Foliage Color:Â Yellow
Fragrant Foliage:Â No
Bark Color:Â Salmon, Cream, and White shades
Sun Needs:Â Full Sun or Mostly Sun
Water Needs:Â Â Average, lower when established
Soil Type:Â Â Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt – Fertile
Soil Drainage:Â Well Drained Moist to Wet!
Soil pH:Â 5.0 – 6.5
Maintenance / Care:Â Low
Attracts:Â Visual Attention, Birds
Resistances:Â Birch Borers, Deer –Â more info, Disease, Heat, Humidity, Moderate Drought, Wet Soils
DescriptionÂ
The River Birch is a beautiful, fast-growing and very easy-to-grow North American native tree that thrives in sites with consistently moist soil. Perhaps its most appealing and outstanding feature is the highly attractive salmon and cream tones of the shedding bark that provides year-round interest in the landscape, especially during the winter. The light to dark green diamond-shape leaves are about 4 inches long and wide, turning a nice yellow in fall before dropping to expose the shedding bark. A graceful, soft-textured tree which deserves a spot in every landscape where it will grow. USDA Zones 4a-9bÂ
Betula nigra is one of the most heat tolerant, disease-free, and insect resistant birches…much more heat tolerant than northern white birches, which don’t adapt well at all to the heat in the South. Extremely resistant to the bronze birch borer and has high resistance to leaf spot diseases.
NOTE: The River Birch trees we offer are multi-trunk.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 40 to 50 feet tall and 30 to 40 feet wide, the River Birch tree is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings or in single or staggered rows to delineate a property line or line a driveway. River Birch will tolerate dry periods but thrives in a consistently moist soil, which makes it a fine candidate for low-lying areas or next to lakes, streams, rivers or other bodies of water. Perfect for use as a shade tree and when planted on the west side of the home cooling costs will be reduced. A fine addition to native plant gardens.
Suggested Spacing:Â 15 to 20 feet apart for screen plantings; 50 feet apart for space between trees
Growing Preferences
Being a North American native tree, the River Birch is exceptionally easy to grow in a variety of soil types, including clay, and likes full sun to light shade. “River” in the name lets us know that it likes a consistently moist soil. That said, trees will tolerate dry periods. Maintenance is minimal. Pruning isn’t necessary. That said, if you want to expose the trunk(s) lower branches can be removed to desired height. Avoid pruning in the spring when the tree is emerging from dormancy. Wait until May or June to prune.Â
Note:Â Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop computer monitors or below on mobile devices.Â
Plant Long & Prosper!
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A+++ experience. Both river birches arrived quickly, packaged well, and are currently thriving in my yard. I was surprised with the size of them — multi-stemmed, foliage on all the branches, close to 5 ft tall when planted. I am excited to see how they grow over the next several years, but I will be shopping again with Wilson Bros Gardens in the meantime!————————————–Hi Janice, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the River Birch Tree (Multi Trunk). We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review!!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens
My 2 River Birch arrived in perfect condition and have been planted for 10 days. They are thriving. A lot of foliage and about 4′ tall. Not one problem at all. Can’t wait to see them mature!! Healthy and beautiful trees! My sincere thanks to Wilson Brothers. They are true to their word.————————–WBG Reply: Hi Karen, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the River Birch Tree. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens
I bought the 2 gallon size. The trees had multiple trunks and were very nice and about 4 feet tall. Great tree for the price. Will be ordering more from Wilson Bros —————- WBG Reply: Hi Simon – Thanks for your review. It was our pleasure to serve you. Hope you enjoy your River Birch for years to come. – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens





















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