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| ## river birch {#river-birch .Title-Header}                           |
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| *Betula nigra* L.                                                     |
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| Plant Symbol = BENI                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS New York State Office and USDA NRCS National
Plant Data Center

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

black birch, red birch, water birch

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Buffers*: River birch fits well into buffer installations along with
its companion species.

*Erosion Control*: It has been used successfully in strip mine
reclamation and in erosion control.

*Wildlife*: Its young twigs, buds and foliage are browsed by
white-tailed deer; seeds are eaten by grouse, turkeys, small birds and
rodents. Its spring ripening make it particularly valuable.

*Timber*: Its wood is locally used for fuel and occasionally for
inexpensive furniture, basket hoops and turned articles; artificial
limbs and toys.

*Recreation and Beautification*: River birch is useful in
native-oriented landscapes. It has a balanced and well-formed growth
habit and interesting features through all seasons.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's

current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious
status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

River birch is native to the eastern United States; south to Florida,
north to Minnesota and west to Kansas; it is restricted to stream banks
and other moist places. The tree can grow as tall as 40 to 70 feet and
15 to 30 inches in diameter. The bark is exfoliating; gray-brown to
ivory or copper colored. The leaves are alternate, simple, 1-3 inches
long, and oval-shaped with serrated edges; they are green above and
whitish underneath. Flowers are inconspicuous. The winged fruit is
small, brown, and borne in clusters in the spring. River birch bears an
average of 375,000 seeds per pound. Root crowns and roots survive fire
and sprout vigorously. The growth rate of river birch is typically 1.5
to 3 feet per year.![](media/image2.wmf){width="3.042361111111111in"
height="2.03125in"}

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

This species is restricted to low and medium elevations, and is most
common along streams. River birch is at home on somewhat poorly drained
to well drained soils making it an easy choice for riparian buffers
throughout the range of the species. River birch, like other pioneer
species, is not particularly pH sensitive and seems to be tolerant of
soils that are in the 4.5 to 7.5 range. It will occasionally develop
iron chlorosis in soil with neutral and higher pH. River birch is shade
intolerant.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Seed ripens and sheds in the spring and should be directly sown. A
seeding density of 25 to 44 per square foot is desirable, lightly
covered or without covering if seedbed is kept moist. Stratification of
birch seed is usually counter-productive. Seedlings have moderate growth
rate and are usually outplanted as 2 year old bareroot stock. Given
effective grass and weed control, river birch is easy to establish.

Fertilization of tree and shrub seedlings at planting is generally not
recommended. Defer any necessary fertility applications to the second
year to avoid root damage, but only drastically disturbed soils are
likely to need fertility inputs.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Attention to weed control is the most critical factor for rapid
establishment and early growth of riparian buffers. Grass competition
for moisture, nutrients and light is generally more critical than
broadleaf weed pressure, however there are broadleaved weeds that are
serious threats\--these are the very large annuals and the spreading
perennials.

The use of selected herbicides or a weed control fabric are two ways to
reduce weed competition. State land grant college weed control
guidelines for herbicide use should be reviewed for application rates
and species compatibility. Consider the grass control herbicides which
allow application contact with tree and shrub species.

Weed control fabric can be placed at planting time and provide
protection for 3-5 years. The initial expense is greater, but the
overall expense may be less where weed pressure is heavy and multiple
sprayings of herbicide would otherwise be necessary.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

The principal leaf disease of river birch is anthracnose leaf blight
caused by *Gloeosporium betularum*. Christmas mistletoe (*Phoradendron
serotinum*) is a common pest in the South. Minor problems with leaf
miner and iron chlorosis which commonly occurs when grown on calcareous
soils and other high pH soils. River birch has no serious insect pests
and is considered borer resistant. The tree is not very vulnerable to
deer browsing.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

No conservation cultivars of river birch exist, but there are
horticultural selections in the marketplace. Avoid those selections that
exhibit growth patterns not typical of the species, such as variegated
leaves or weeping growth habit.

##### Prepared By:  {#prepared-by .Header-3}

*John Dickerson*, Retired

USDA NRCS New York State Office, Syracuse, New York

*Lincoln Moore*, Forest Biologist

USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA

##### 

##### Species Coordinator:  {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

*John Dickerson*, Retired

USDA NRCS New York State Office

Syracuse, New York

##### 

##### Edited: 01Feb2002 JLK; 31may06jsp {#edited-01feb2002-jlk-31may06jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
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large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
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*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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