river birch - betula nigra

Common Name: river birch

Scientific Name: 
Family: Betulaceae
Genus: Betula
Species: nigra

Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
Height: 40 to 70 ft
Width: 30 to 50 ft

Description:
​​​The river birch is a commonly planted urban tree. It's salmon-pink, peeling bark provides visual appeal all year long. It can be found in single stem form or with multiple stems (it is often planted in three's). The single stem form is sometimes used on boulevards and does quite well in this setting as long as the soil is on the acidic side (6.5 and below); chlorosis will develop is it isn't. This is the possibly the most resistant birch to Bronze Birch Borer. 

As its name suggests, river birch is found alongside rivers, streams, and lakes in the wild. In Minnesota, it is only found naturally along the Mississippi River in the southern part of the state. Unlike Minnesota's other birches, which are northern trees, river birch can be found all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.