Betula nigra
Common Name(s):
River birch
Black birch
Synonym:
Betula americana
Water birch
Flower:
Male flowers brown, female flowers green
Blooms :
Apr
to:
May
Catkins
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Betulaceae
Tree, Broadleaf
Foliage:
Dark Green
Leaves alternate, 1-3" long, 1-2" wide ovate
Fall Color?
YES
Leaves turn yellow
Deciduous
Photo by:
Heading 6
Exfoliating bark is attractive
Oregon Native?
NO
West State Native?
NO
Origins:
Southeastern United States
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
4
Water Needs:
H
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
40-70'
Spread:
40-60'
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Streams, rivers, ponds, swamps
Soil:
Moist, acidic soils, fertile soils
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Generally none, but if you choose to fertilize use a well balanced slow release granular form in spring
Mulch:
Apply 2-4" layer of organic mulch such as shredded bark, or wood chips aroung base
If tree is not in a wet area, water deeply twice a week during growing season, acidify soil if ph is above 6.5, apply fertilizer, monitor for borers, plant where tree gets afternoon shade
Long Term:
Winter:
Do not let root zone dry out, can prune if not done in fall, wrap young trees to prevent rabbit nibbling
Spring:
Feed tree in early spring, provide deep watering if top 2-4" of soil are dry, refresh mulch, monitor for pests
Summer:
During hot, dry weather, water weekly, slow deep watering is most effective, spread mulch around base of tree
Fall:
Late fall is time to prune, focus on removing dead, damaged, or rubbing branches to improve airflow, replenish mulch
General Care Comments:
Water deeply once a week during dry spells, make sure soil is acidic, apply mulch, prune only during dormant deason
Common Problems
May sucker
Diseases:
Anthracnose, Iron chlorosis
Insects:
Aphids, leaf miners, sawflies, Japanese beetles, lacebugs, bronze birch borer
Environmental Problems:
Soil ph, amend with acidifying fertilizer if above 6.5
Pests:
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.