Introduction:

The River Birch Tree (Betula nigra) is a fast-growing, deciduous tree known for its distinctive, peeling bark and attractive yellow fall foliage. This hardy tree is perfect for adding year-round interest to any landscape, with its unique bark providing beauty even in the winter months. River Birch is highly adaptable to wet soils, making it an ideal choice for planting near water features, rain gardens, or in areas prone to flooding. Its rapid growth and graceful form make it a favorite for homeowners and landscapers alike.

Plant Summary:

• Size: Grows to a height of 40-70 feet with a spread of 30-50 feet.
• Foliage: Oval-shaped green leaves turn golden-yellow in the fall.
• Flowers/Fruit: Inconspicuous green-yellow catkins in spring, followed by small winged seeds.
• Growth Habit: Upright with a graceful, spreading canopy and multi-stemmed trunk.
• Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
• Soil: Thrives in moist, well-drained to wet soils and tolerates clay.
• Hardiness: Hardy in USDA Zones 4-9.
• pH Level: Prefers slightly acidic soils (pH 5.0 to 6.5).
• Pruning: Prune in late winter to remove dead or damaged branches and to shape the tree.
• Pests/Diseases: Generally pest-resistant but may occasionally be affected by birch leaf miner or aphids.

Pollination:

The River Birch Tree is wind-pollinated, with small, green-yellow catkins appearing in spring. While it is not typically grown for its flowers or fruit, the tree’s ornamental bark and graceful canopy provide year-round beauty. Its fast growth and adaptability to wet conditions make it a popular choice for rain gardens, riverbanks, or as a specimen tree in larger landscapes.

Key Benefits:

• Unique, peeling bark provides year-round ornamental interest, even in winter.
• Fast-growing tree that thrives in moist to wet soils, making it ideal for planting near water.
• Yellow fall foliage adds seasonal color to your landscape.
• Hardy and adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, including clay and poorly drained areas.
• Low-maintenance tree that provides beauty and shade with minimal care.

Care Instructions:

• Light: Prefers full sun for optimal growth but tolerates partial shade.
• Water: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods.
• Soil Type: Grows best in moist, well-drained soils but adapts to wet soils and clay.
• Pollination: Wind-pollinated, with inconspicuous green-yellow catkins in spring.
• Growth Rate: Fast-growing, reaching up to 2-3 feet per year.
• Max Height/Width: Reaches 40-70 feet in height and 30-50 feet in width.
• Pruning: Prune in late winter to shape the tree and remove deadwood.

Why You'll Love It:

The River Birch Tree is a beautiful and versatile addition to any landscape, offering unique peeling bark, rapid growth, and adaptability to wet soils. Its graceful form and yellow fall foliage create year-round interest, while its resilience makes it a low-maintenance choice for rain gardens, riverbanks, or as a specimen tree. Whether you’re looking to add shade or ornamental beauty to your yard, the River Birch Tree is sure to impress.

Planting Tips:

Plant your River Birch Tree in early spring or fall in a sunny location with moist, well-drained soil. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and plant at the same depth it was growing in the nursery. Water thoroughly after planting and mulch around the base to retain moisture. Regular watering during the first few years will help the tree establish a strong root system.

Flower Color:

Green-yellow (catkins)

Plant Class:

Deciduous Tree

Plant Name:

River Birch Tree

Shipping Details:

Your River Birch Tree will be shipped as a bare root plant, carefully packaged to ensure it arrives in optimal condition. Bare root plants are shipped during dormancy to promote successful transplanting and establishment in your landscape.

Key Information for River Birch Tree - Bare Root, 2-3 ft | Betula nigra (Betula nigra):

• 📏Size: River Birch is a medium to large deciduous tree that can reach a height of 40-70 feet (12-21 m) and a spread of 40-60 feet (12-18 m).
• 🍂Foliage: The foliage of River Birch is deciduous, with diamond-shaped leaves that turn yellow in the fall.
• 🌼Flowers & Fruit: In spring, River Birch produces inconspicuous brownish-green flowers in drooping catkins. The female catkins give way to small, winged nutlets that disperse by wind.
• ↕️Growth Habit: River Birch has an upright, pyramidal growth habit in its youth, becoming more rounded and open with age.
• ☀️Sunlight: River Birch thrives in full sun to partial shade and is adaptable to various light conditions.
• 🪨Soil: River Birch prefers moist to wet, well-drained soil but can tolerate a range of soil types, including clay and sandy soils.
• 🗺️Hardiness: River Birch is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9.
• 🧪pH Level: River Birch prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH between 5.0 and 7.5.
• 🌳Pruning: Pruning of River Birch is best done in late winter or early spring. Remove any dead or diseased branches and prune to maintain a balanced structure.
• 🐛Pests & Disease: River Birch is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but it may be susceptible to bronze birch borer and leaf spot. Proper care can prevent and manage potential issues.

Pollination of River Birch Tree - Bare Root, 2-3 ft | Betula nigra (Betula nigra):

River Birch is monoecious, meaning it has separate male and female flowers on the same tree. The inconspicuous male catkins release pollen, which is carried by the wind to the female catkins for pollination. Once pollinated, the female catkins develop into small nutlets with papery wings, allowing them to be carried by the wind to new locations for germination. River Birch's ability to thrive in wet and flood-prone areas makes it an ideal tree for stabilizing streambanks and providing habitat for various wildlife species. Its distinctive peeling bark and graceful form also make it a popular ornamental tree for landscapes and gardens.

Fertilization

It is generally recommended to wait to fertilize a bare root plant until it has been established in the ground and is actively growing. This can vary depending on the type of plant and the growing conditions, but it is generally best to wait at least a few weeks to a few months after planting.

During the first year, you should focus on providing the plant with the right amount of water, sunlight and soil to help it become established. Once the plant has become established and is actively growing, you can begin to fertilize it.

You can use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer or one that is specifically formulated for the type of plant you have. Be sure to follow the instructions on the fertilizer package and apply it at the recommended rate.

It is also important to note that over-fertilizing can be harmful to plants, so it's always best to error on the side of caution and start with a lower amount of fertilizer and increase as needed.

Why Buy From Us?

Welcome to our online bare root plant nursery! We specialize in providing high-quality, affordable bare root trees, nursery plants, and garden plants for sale. We understand the importance of having a beautiful garden, which is why we only offer the highest-quality plants at an affordable price.

Our selection of bare root trees, shrubs, and plants includes a wide variety of fruit trees, berry bushes, perennial flowers, deciduous trees, evergreen trees, and more. We carry tree varieties and tree types that are perfect for every type of garden, whether you're looking for fast growing trees, drought-tolerant trees, cold-hardy trees, native trees, or exotic trees.

Our bare root trees are superior to potted trees because they are easy to plant and establish quickly, plus they are more cost-efficient. They are carefully selected and grown to ensure they are healthy, and ready to thrive in your garden.

We also have a large selection of seedlings, including tree seedlings, which are perfect for those who want to grow their own trees from scratch. Our affordable trees are quality trees that are sure to provide you with many years of enjoyment in your garden.

At our wholesale nursery, we also offer bulk pricing for those who want to purchase a large number of trees for their own landscaping business, park, or other commercial project. Contact us directly for wholesale requests.

Our online nursery makes it easy for you to shop for the perfect plants from the comfort of your own home. And with our fast and reliable shipping, you can have your bare root trees, shrubs, and plants delivered right to your door.

We take great care in packaging and shipping our plants to ensure they arrive to you in good condition. And with our easy-to-plant trees, tree saplings, and step-by-step instructions for tree planting, you'll be able to get your new additions in the ground in no time.

Thank you for choosing our online bare root plant nursery. We are confident that you will be completely satisfied with the quality and selection of our plants. If you have any questions or need help selecting the perfect plants for your garden, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Shipping Schedule for Bare Root Trees & Shrubs

Nursery Trees

Dates shown above are approximate and can change without notice.  We're sorry, but nursery trees cannot be shipped to AK, HI, or territories, or countries outside the U.S. This is due to the agricultural laws within these locations.

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House plants typically ship in 2-3 Business Days. Plants are shipped from Florida and California.