BETULA ALBA – River Birch

The River Birch tree is popular deciduous ornamental tree and has a rich cultural history. 

[Elementary School students]

Did you know?

Do birds like to eat any part of the tree?

*  The catkins (flower clusters) of the River Birch are eaten and appreciated by a wide range of songbirds.

https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=792

Deer like to eat what part of the tree?

*  The foliage (leaves) are eaten by deer and other browsers.

https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=792

Long ago farmers used what parts of the tree?

*  River birch wood was once used for ox yokes, wooden shoes and other items around the farm.

https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=792

Leaf: Green Summer

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=13

[Middle School students]

Habitat (where it likes to live) http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=x800

*  Grows in medium to wet soils
*  Can be grown in partial shade to full sun environments
*  Tolerates hot and dry conditions
*  Location: Eastern United States  (Zone 4 to 9)

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=13

Requirements (what it needs to live)

*  Water: Medium to wet
*  Maintenance: Low

Identification (what it looks like) http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=x800

*  Readily identified in the winter because of its bright exfoliating (shedding) bark

Flower – Fruiting catkins

Trunk – Single stem or clump (multi-stem) forms

[High School students]

Habit (how it grows)

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=x800

*  Height: 40 to 70 feet
*  Spread: 40 to 60 feet
*  Bloom Time: April to May
*  Sun: Full sun to part shade
*  Tolerate: Wet and dry soils

Bark

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=x800

Catkins

https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=792

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=13

http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard%2Dgarden/trees%2Dshrubs/river-birch/index.html

Suggested Use (where to plant it in the garden and landscape):

*  Private residences – For four season use on a home-owners property
*  Rain Gardens – To look good and help shade other plants
*  Parks – Seth Hand Park

References:

1. VA Tech - dendro.cnre.vt.edu
2. Missouri Botanic Garden – missouribotanicgarden.org
3. Arbor Day – arborday.org
4. University of Minnesota Extension