Revised
River birch (Betula nigra)
Medium-sized trees
- Maximum height
60 feet - Relative growth rate
Good - Freedom from insect pests
Good - Freedom from disease problems
Excellent - Resistance to storm damage
Good - Will grow on poorly drained soil
Excellent - Will grow in hot, dry areas
Poor - Easy to transplant
Good - Withstands city conditions
Good
The most interesting characteristic of the river birch is its salmon-colored bark that peels off in paper-thin layers. The tree is noted for its ability to grow in wet soils, but it will grow in drier situations. The river birch has been greatly ignored in favor of the more showy white-barked birches, but it is a fine ornamental and should be planted more. It is not as susceptible to stem-boring insects as the white-barked birches.