River Birch Betula nigra Birch Family (Betulaceae)

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Introduction: River birch, the only semi-aquatic tree among Betulaceae, is the most widely distributed birch in the United States and the best one for hot climates. The tree is the only birch found in the Southern U.S., ranging from Florida to eastern Texas, and is know for its attractive cinnamon-colored, peeling bark.

This website provides information on many of the common trees native to Kentucky. We hope you find it informative. This site is maintained by the Department of Horticulture at the University of Kentucky and is a collaborative effort between Robert Geneve, Richard Durham, Christy Cassady and Tom Shearin. Special thanks to Timothy Geneve for help with the propagation section. Partial funding for this site comes from the Kentucky Division of Forestry, Leah W. MacSwords, Director.