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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Betula nigra

River Birch, Red Birch

Scientific Name:

Betula nigra

Genus:

Betula

Species Epithet:

nigra

Common Name:

River Birch, Red Birch

Plant Type

Tree

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Betulaceae (Birch Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Invasive Status:

(*Key)

Size:

12-36 ft., 36-72 ft.

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist, Wet

Bloom Time:

March, April

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Riverbanks, streambanks, floodplains, sandbars, disturbed uplands. Common throughout NC.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Important for Wildlife

Landscape Value:

Highly Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Beautiful exfoliating bark. A fast-growing shade tree with cultivars available (some are drought-tolerant).

The bark on young River Birch trees peels in thin layers

Roanoke River NWR, Bertie Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Betula nigra. You will likely hear them called River Birch, Red Birch. This picture shows the The bark on young River Birch trees peels in thin layers of Betula nigra

Lisa Lofland Gould

A mature River Birch growing along the Dan River

Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Betula nigra. You will likely hear them called River Birch, Red Birch. This picture shows the A mature River Birch growing along the Dan River of Betula nigra

Lisa Lofland Gould

Leaves are alternate, diamond-shaped, with a doubly serrated margin.

Pitt Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Betula nigra. You will likely hear them called River Birch, Red Birch. This picture shows the Leaves are alternate, diamond-shaped, with a doubly serrated margin. of Betula nigra

Bettina Darveaux

The undersides of the leaves are silvery in color.

Pitt Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Betula nigra. You will likely hear them called River Birch, Red Birch. This picture shows the The undersides of the leaves are silvery in color. of Betula nigra

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

Vascular Plants of NC: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/species_account.php
 

NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/betula-nigra/
 

https://nc.audubon.org/700
 



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