river birch

Plant Type

Large Tree (greater than 25 ft)

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

30-70 ft. tall
40-60 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Occasional Flooding

Inolerant of

Dry Soil

Propagation

By seed, By cutting

Plant Propagation Notes

Seed must be cold moist stratified for 30-60 days and surface sown. Light exposure is critical for germination. Softwood cuttings treated with rooting hormone have the best success of rooting.

Plants/Diseases

While river birch is resistant to the bronze birch borer, aphids, leaf miner and birch skeletonizer can cause issues. Also susceptible to leaf spot problems.

Wildlife Benefits

Host plant for butterfly larvae, Fruit/seeds for birds

Leaves

Simple deltoid to ovate leaves that are arranged alternately along the stems and have serrated margins.

Flowers

Light green to yellow catkins.

Fruit

Small nutlets in 1-1.5 ” cone-like fruits.

Bark

Light brown to orange with a heavily peeling paper layer.

Toxicity

No known toxicity.

Edibility

Nutlets are edible.

USDA Hardiness Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Light Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture

Moist

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

Riverbanks, streambanks, floodplains, and sandbars.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Common through the coastal plain, piedmont, and mountains.