Common Name: River BirchScientific Name Genus: BetulaFamily Name: BetulaceaeIdentification NotesGrows best in medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade.Native Habitateastern US; zones 4-9 Growth Habit40-70' tall, 40-60' wideOval to pyramidal when young becoming rounded to irregular with ageSingle or multistemMedium to fast growth rate LeavesMedium to dark green, 1.5-3.5" long diamond-shaped leaves with doubly serrated marginsYellow fall color; leaves drop quickly Bark and StemsAttractive exfoliating bark Young trunks and branches have thinner, red-brown bark; older plants have white to orange bark exfoliating in larger sheets; very old trunks become more plated and furrowed or ridgedProvides multi-season interest FlowersMale catkins are 2-3" long in bloom, usually in groups of 3sFemale catkins are 1-1.5" long FruitCatkins of small nutlets Common ProblemsCan have iron chlorosis in high pH soilsCan have leaf spot in wet yearsIf weakened or stressed bronze birch borer can be a problem Varieties or Cultivars'Cully' aka Heritage - better disease resistance; bark peels at younger age; usually multi-stemmed'Little King' aka Fox Valley - dwarf cultivar; 15' tall, branches close to ground Related SpeciesBetula papyrifera - paper birchBetula populifolia - grey birch Landscape UsesSpecimen or small groups; good for wet areas and along streams or ponds.