It is very common to find fungal leaf spots on river birch trees, especially in years with high humidity. The Kentucky champion tree is in Johnson County and is 80 feet tall. Asked June 2, 2016, 12:14 PM EDT. The Tree is a deciduous tree, it will be up to 25 m (82 ft) high. "0� �l8G��`.� �H�P�$�C�(#LgAH�g7�S,�m8)������T%A�0TD�D! © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. 1. Very similiar to black birch including a wintergreen smell, but bark is more flaky and yellow/shiny in color. She holds a Bachelor of the Arts in political science and a Master of Fine Arts in writing. For instance, the average white birch leaf grows to be about 2 to 3 inches long. I think the leaf venation can be different too compared to black birch, but would need to look that up to confirm. The river birch is a “bleeder” and open wounds cause heavy sap flow that is attractive to some beetles, and wound dressing is ineffective. 3 0 obj However, it is not very flood-tolerant and may suffer during extended inundation. River Birch, B. nigra — Leaves: broad, wedged base, smooth margin at base, rest is doubly toothed or may even be slightly lobed, 7-9 pairs of veins. [/CalRGB endobj The slender petioles are nearly as long as the leaf blades; they are light green, glabrous, and somewhat flattened. C)���Q$� �v,=��m���Y�QG Birches are considered “bleeders”, avoid pruning in late spring before leaves emerge. It produces flowers in the spring and winter, and small brown or green cones in the summer. The river birch is a favorite tree in the southern United States, because it can tolerate dry conditions. Ruby-throated hummingbirds drink its sap. Plus, it's an elegant source of shade, with unique peeling bark that stands out in your landscape. The leaves are ovoid and the flowers are yellow. Birch leaves are not large, as the foliage of trees such as oaks and maples tends to be, with most only a few inches in length. Unlike other birch trees, this cultivar is resistant to bronze birch borer. Beauty certainly is one of its attributes, but there are many others. River birch is distinguished by having alternate, simple leaves, 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches long, 3/4 to 2 1/2 inches wide, sharp pointed, double toothed or shallowly lobed, with a wedge shaped base. >> Leaf blade shape. The tree likes Sun to half-shade at the location and the soil should be undemanding. >> River birch, also called red birch, black birch, or water birch, is the only southern birch that grows in coastal plains. The flowers are unisexual, borne in separate male and female catkins on the same tree. An alternate common name is "black" birch, which is reflected in the species name, nigra (Latin for "black"). River birch are good for large residences, public grounds, parks, golf courses, etc. River birch occurs frequently along stream banks throughout Kentucky, except in the Bluegrass region. Heritage® river birch. River birch is a deciduous medium to large-sized native tree. The river birch also attracts wildlife, as birds eat its seeds and deer enjoy munching on twigs and foliage. Wildlife, such as birds and rodents, eat its seeds, and deer eat its twigs and foliage. 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. Her professional experience includes teaching and tutoring students of all ages in literature, history and writing. The river birch is a tree for elven glades and fairy forests. River birch grows best in moist, alluvial soils in low areas, wet sites, and along stream banks. This is a reference to its bark, which starts out salmon but turns darker as it matures. 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