River Birch, Betula nigra , is only found in association with water. Birches usually have slender, graceful habits. River Birch does not have the showy white bark of the eastern Canoe Birches and Paper Birches. It does, however, have an interesting exfoliating or peeling bark. In young trees this is often an appealing salmon or rosy tan color.
Older trees are more gray.
Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis , is another riverside tree that is common here. The white bark is quite conspicuous among darker vegetation. Up close, the patterns of gray and white peeling bark are very striking. Sycamore has palmately lobed leaves that can grow to nearly a foot across. This little shrub is in the Caprifoliaceae, the Honeysuckle family.