River Birch (Betula nigra)

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River Birch, the southernmost birch of the United States, makes its best growth alongside bodies of water or in occasionally flooded bottomlands. It is native to the Atlantic coastal states, southern states, the lower Midwest, eastern Great Plains, and lower Mississippi River valley. In Ohio, it is native mostly in the south-central counties, and sparsely along Lake Erie. However, it is widely planted throughout Ohio and the eastern United States as an ornamental shade tree, prized for its flaky, orange, ornamental bark and rippling foliage in the breeze.

America's forestry movement actually started in Ohio with the creation of the American Forestry Association in Cincinnati in 1875.

Lisa Bowers, (614) 728-4210
Program Administrator

Division of Forestry
2045 Morse Rd.
Building H1.
Columbus, OH 43229