Ability
to thrive in wet locations and tolerance
of flooding and clay soil makes River
Birch a strong candidate for conservation
plantings. River Birch is a fast grower.
Its peeling bark and hanging catkins
have strong visual appeal.
Tree
Type(s):
Conservation
Family:
Betulaceae
Specifications:
Mature
Height: 25 to 50
ft; Mature Spread:
25 to 35 ft; Growth Rate:
Fast; Salt Tolerance:
Limited; PH Preference:
Neutral to Acidic
Sun
Exposure:
Full
Sun, Partial Shade
Soil
Type:
Acidic,
Loamy, Moist, Sandy, Well Drained,
Wet Soil, Clay
Zones:
4a
- 9a
Importance to
Wildlife:
Useful
for erosion control.
Unique Information:
Southernmost
New World birch and the only birch
that occurs at low altitudes in
the SE US. Ability to thrive on
moist sites makes it useful for
erosion control.
Native
Range:
SW
Connecticut south to N. Florida
west to E. Texas and North to
SE Minnesota.
Habitat:
It
is very well-suited for planting
along steam banks where it is
native and in other areas which
are inundated for weeks. River
birch tolerates flooding, and
clay soil but needs moist soil.
