River Birch is a graceful and elegant tree

Mississippi Gardens Newspaper and Web Column - June 23, 2003

Rainfall in my neck of the woods has been so prevalent that even the high ground squishes when you step on it. The amount of rain we've had, at least in south Mississippi, is stressing many plants, especially where soil drainage is not so good. The rainy weather has me thinking about trees that thrive in high moisture situations. One such tree is the River Birch, is a fantastic tree with many qualities that make it a superb part of any Mississippi garden.

The River Birch (Betula nigra) is a highly prized tree for Southern landscapes. It is most widely known for its unique, exfoliating bark. Exfoliation refers to the platy, peeling of the bark that makes it look like paper strips. On young stems and twigs the bark is cinnamon colored. With age, it changes to a creamy, light orange-lavender that exfoliates to reveal patches of new bark that are salmon-brown and white. There aren't many trees that have this unique characteristic. The River Birch is deciduous, losing its leaves in the fall, but this just makes it easier to notice the beautiful bark all winter long.

The River Birch is a graceful, elegant tree that is native to the southeastern United States. In its natural setting it is found along creek banks and other water bodies. However, like several other wetland natives, it can be used in the landscape provided there is adequate moisture. Just plant it in full sun in an acidic soil with a pH below 6.5 for best results. Watering during extended dry periods is beneficial.

The River Birch transplants easily and is very attractive as a specimen, but is used most effectively in groups of 3 or 4. It is especially ornamental when used for naturalizing an area since it has great year-round visual appeal. It can be considered a low maintenance tree. While it is getting established two or three stems should be chosen and others eliminated. It looks best with as a multi-stemmed tree with most of the lower branches and suckers pruned to reveal the bark. Pruning should be completed in late fall or early winter.

Although seedling River Birch is common in the market place, there are at least two superb cultivars available that should be noted for their improved vigor and durability. These are 'Heritage' and 'Dura Heat'. The Society of Municipal Archivesborists selected 'Heritage' as the 2002 Urban Tree of the Year. It outgrows seedlings rapidly, yet the wood is not brittle. Its leaves are three to four inches long and are less prone to leaf spot than the species even during hot humid weather. 'Dura Heat' has a denser canopy of foliage than species River Birch along with leaf spot resistance. Both have yellow fall color and would be excellent trees for Mississippi gardens.

Publications may download photographs at 200 d.p.i.: Foliage | Bark

These archived columns were written by Kerry Johnson, a hobby gardener, former weekly newspaper columnist and retired Extension Horticulture Agent for 11 coastal counties in Mississippi.