Birch, River, Bare Root

River Birch (Betula nigra)

A moisture-loving shade tree with peeling bark and an open crown. It is a practical birch for stream buffers and large rain-garden settings with room for its mature spread.

Key Characteristics

Caterpillars in the canopy

Mourning cloak and dreamy duskywing butterflies use river birch as a host. Some leaf feeding is part of that role rather than a reason for routine spraying.

Food before and after leaf-out

Birds and squirrels use catkins, and grouse, turkeys, and smaller birds eat the seeds. Leaving the tree's seasonal litter beneath a planted understory keeps these resources on site.

Match the birch to the ground

Use river birch for moist lowland planting. Compare Yellow Birch for a cooler woodland setting; they are different species, not alternate size grades.

Product Details

• Native range: Central and eastern United States
• Life cycle: Deciduous woody perennial tree
• Sun: Full Sun; Part Sun/Shade
• Soil moisture: Medium; Medium-Wet; Wet
• Mature height: 30–70 feet; varies with seedling and site
• Bloom time: March–April
• Bloom color: Brown, Green
• USDA hardiness zones: 4–9
• Fruit or seed: Small winged seeds released from catkins; wildlife food.
• Pollination: Wind-pollinated; several seedlings add diversity to a restoration planting.

Planting and Ongoing Care

Keep bare roots moist until planting and spread roots without bending them into a tight hole. Water during establishment, mulch clear of the trunk, and protect young trees from browsing and mowing damage. Base feeding on a soil test; our Tree Planting Kit fertilizer blend can be used according to its label when needed.

Keep roots cool and moist. Check pH when leaves yellow and avoid repeated drought stress. Avoid insecticides on open flowers. These are seedlings rather than selected clones, so growth, flowering, and fruiting vary.