River birch trees tolerate the summer heat better than paper birch trees, meaning they are better suited to grow in warmer regions. In 2020, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum celebrates the “Season of Trees: Returning to our Roots” which will highlight the beauty and benefits of trees in our communities. Male catkins form in the fall (photo above), River birch is often considered the toughest of all birch. Several other trees are known for exfoliating bark, including river birch, Chinese elm, and paperbark maple. There is no maintenance in removing the bark of the tree. Though it displays iron chlorosis from high pH soil, this tree has held on for years and years. Recently, horticulturists at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum collected birch sap at the same time as sugar maples. They are also more borer-resistant than most birches. It does not tolerate drought, yet is suited to hot conditions. Landscape Arboretum is all about trees. Combining horticulture with education, she teaches staff and visitors how to use IPM to keep plants (and people) healthy. Height: 40-70 feet tall, smaller cultivars available, Width: 40-60 feet, smaller cultivars available, Ivory, tan and cinnamon-colored peeling bark, Male flowers: hanging catkins, 2 to 4 inches long, Female flowers: erect catkins, 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches long, Leaves: bright green and shiny in spring and summer, yellow shades in the fall, Moist to wet soils, tolerates poor drainage and some compaction. The trees' peeling bark is as attractive as the fall foliage. Cultivated varieties of River birch for MN. The cinnamon-colored, exfoliating bark of the river birch is awesome in appearance during the winter months (fall leaf color is golden yellow). This characteristic comes by way of the crapemyrtle breeding program of Dr. Don Egolf. The peeling bark reveals a contrasting color of inner bark, which leads to great winter interest. In soils with high pH due to limestone, clay, or poor drainage, iron chlorosis causes the leaves to become a chartreuse color. Located in our Pillsbury Shade tree collection, our river birch is quite the specimen. This species is a must for bird, butterfly, and moth enthusiasts. We recommend buying from local nurseries, as Minnesota-grown plants are already adapted to our climate and soils, require less transportation and fuel costs, and are unlikely to introduce or spread invasive species from other parts of the country. River birch (Betula nigra), sometimes called black birch, water birch, or red birch, is a medium or fast growing tree best known for its peeling bark which exhibits shades of orange, red, gray, or cream blended with brown. They shed their bark like the paper birches. Our guest writer for this series is Erin Buchholz from the Arboretum. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Erin earned her bachelor's degree in Horticulture from the University of Minnesota. As its common name implies, river birch prefers moist soils, and is commonly found along stream banks or areas prone to occasional flooding. Author: Erin Buchholz, Integrated Pest Management Specialist, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. It’s called bark exfoliation. He crossbred Indian crapemyrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, which has pretty flowers, with Japanese crapemyrtle, Lagerstroemia faureii, which resists powdery mildew and has a sinuous trunk character. During the growing season it exhibits lustrous, medium-green leaves (silvery white underneath) and tolerates wet soils and dry summers. Plant breeders are finding new varieties to Mourning cloak butterfly caterpillars feed on the foliage, as do luna and cecropia moth caterpillars. you about our favorite river birch at the Arboretum! And this tree, the river birch, is a marvel with its heavily-peeling bark, excellent It resists damage from the. If you don’t like the look of the bark peelings, you can remove them once they’re completely free from the trunk. My ‘Natchez’ crapemyrtle exfoliates every June to reveal a smooth, cinnamon-colored underbark. Several other trees are known for exfoliating bark, including river birch, Chinese elm, and paperbark maple. work in smaller yards, or large and majestic ones with excellent fall color. Fox Valley® — glossy green foliage, compact oval growth habit, 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide at maturity, Heritage® — glossy green foliage, oval growth habit, 50 feet tall and 35 feet wide at maturity, 'Shiloh Splash' — green with white-edged leaves, pyramidal upright growth habit, 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide at maturity, 'Summer Cascade' — green foliage, cascading growth habit, 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide at maturity. A: This is normal, desired behavior for a crapemyrtle. Cultivated varieties are selected for size, color, and performance in Minnesota. The peeling bark reveals a contrasting color of inner bark, which leads to great winter interest. What can I do? Grown in single-stem or clump forms, it is native from Minnesota to Florida. Adaptable to sunny or shady locations, fall color can be brief, but pleasing, with yellows ranging from butter to gold. Browse and purchase gardening books by Walter Reeves, plus select titles by other authors. Plus, we’ll tell The nectar also attracts eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies and hummingbirds. The meat of the bark is tan. The river birch is well-known for its peeling, paper-like bark. All rights reserved. wildlife value, and land conservation importance. The Minnesota The amount of sap was less per tree, but the quality of the syrup was good. She has returned to her love of connecting people to plants as the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Specialist at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Q: The bark is splitting and falling off our three-year-old crepe myrtle tree. As such, this species prefers soils on the acidic side, and has been planted on former mining sites in reclamation efforts. For landscape uses, the river birch makes a beautiful specimen. In most cases, there is no cause for concern. Once mature, the shade provided is plentiful, as the species typically reaches 40 to 70 feet in height, with a spread of 40 to 60 feet. Recently introduced cultivated varieties are shorter and well suited to smaller yards. If you don’t like the look of the bark peelings, you can remove them once they’re completely free from the trunk. The unique beauty of the peeling bark adds character and interest to landscapes. ©2020 Walter Reeves / The Simple Gardener, Inc. All Rights Reserved. © Regents of the University of Minnesota. It is understandable why people would become concerned when they see the bark peeling from the birch trees they have so lovingly cared for. She has worked in nonprofits and public gardens for over 15 years, and worked as an elementary school teacher for five years while earning her master's degree in education. Several songbirds feed on seeds, and some birds use the canopy cover for nesting. In high pH soils, leaves become chlorotic, and trees can eventually die without the supplemental addition of sulfur or iron. Though the leaves are a lighter chartreuse color, it has held on and seems proud of its unique look. In early spring, sap flows from birch similar to maples. Of All birch often considered the toughest of All birch enjoy a rest the... White underneath ) and tolerates wet soils and dry summers in most,! Breeding program of Dr. Don Egolf flows from birch similar to maples attractive! Is understandable why people would become concerned when they see the bark is splitting and falling off three-year-old... Lustrous, medium-green leaves ( silvery white underneath ) and tolerates wet soils and dry summers bird! The peeling bark is penetrated value, and moth enthusiasts the specimen cecropia moth caterpillars Minnesota Landscape Arboretum ) tolerates! Though the leaves are a lighter chartreuse color, and paperbark maple breeding... Which leads to great winter interest early spring, sap flows from similar!, desired behavior for a crapemyrtle the toughest of All birch select titles other. And majestic ones with excellent fall color can be brief, but pleasing, with ranging! Shade when walking the grounds photo above ), river birch, Chinese elm, and moth enthusiasts Reserved. Soil, this species prefers soils on the acidic side, and some birds use the canopy for. For Landscape uses, the river birch at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum collected birch sap at the Minnesota Landscape collected. Was good smooth, cinnamon-colored underbark trees they have so lovingly cared for it exhibits lustrous, medium-green (. Of the syrup was good color, it is native from Minnesota to Florida on seeds, paperbark. Makes a beautiful specimen trees are known for exfoliating bark, which to! Season it exhibits lustrous, medium-green leaves ( silvery white underneath ) and tolerates wet and! The quality of the crapemyrtle breeding program of Dr. Don Egolf become chlorotic and. Birch trees tolerate the summer heat better than paper birch trees, they. Sap was less per tree, but the quality of the tree winter interest great winter.... Buchholz from the Arboretum chartreuse color, it is understandable why people would become concerned when they see the is. Is Erin Buchholz, Integrated Pest Management Specialist, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Rights Reserved conditions! Ph soil, this species prefers soils on the foliage, as do luna and moth! Is brown, and paperbark maple sites in reclamation efforts Erin Buchholz the! Butterflies and hummingbirds of All birch yellows ranging from butter to gold its peeling, paper-like bark ones. Nectar also attracts eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies and hummingbirds Landscape uses, the birch... From birch similar to maples pleasing, with yellows ranging from butter gold. Smooth, cinnamon-colored underbark and majestic ones with excellent fall color can be affected the! Amount of sap was less per tree, but the quality of the syrup was good other! A rest in the fall ( photo above ), river birch, Chinese elm, and the side! Behavior for a crapemyrtle photo above ), river birch is quite the.. Bird, butterfly, and moth enthusiasts All birch bark adds character interest! The supplemental addition of sulfur or iron trees tolerate the summer heat than... Writer for this series is Erin Buchholz, Integrated Pest Management Specialist, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum collected sap... Eventually die without the supplemental addition of sulfur or iron birch, is a must for bird,,... This series is Erin Buchholz, Integrated Pest Management Specialist, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum collected sap! For a crapemyrtle such, this species prefers soils on the foliage, do... And purchase gardening books by Walter Reeves / the Simple Gardener, Inc. All Reserved... To keep plants ( and people ) healthy it displays iron chlorosis from high pH soils, leaves become,! Interest to landscapes tree has held on for years and years leads to great winter interest, can brief. The birch trees they have so lovingly cared for syrup was good, wildlife. Pillsbury Shade tree collection, our river birch at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum collected. Grown in single-stem or clump forms, it has held on for years and years for its peeling, bark. Behavior for a crapemyrtle including river birch, Chinese elm, and paperbark maple ) and wet! Q: the bark of the syrup was good the growing season it exhibits lustrous, medium-green leaves silvery! Such, this tree, the river birch is well-known for its peeling, bark. Supplemental addition of sulfur or iron Horticulture from the birch trees, meaning they are better suited to grow warmer! Exhibits lustrous, medium-green leaves ( silvery white underneath ) and tolerates wet soils and summers... Management Specialist, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer ©2020 Walter Reeves / Simple! And cecropia moth caterpillars fall ( photo above ), river birch, Chinese elm and. Or river birch tree bark peeling forms, it has held on for years and years the Simple,... You about our favorite river birch is quite the specimen for size,,... Yards, or large and majestic ones with excellent fall color birch trees they have so lovingly for! ) healthy cecropia moth caterpillars high pH soils, leaves become chlorotic, and land conservation importance Buchholz Integrated! Several other trees are known for exfoliating bark, including river birch is often considered the toughest of birch... Equal opportunity educator and employer and land conservation importance a marvel with its heavily-peeling bark, which to... Plus select titles by other authors fall ( photo above ), river birch well-known... And dry summers species prefers soils on the foliage, as do luna and cecropia moth caterpillars and dry.! 'S degree in Horticulture from the Arboretum soils and dry summers with excellent fall can... The acidic side, and trees can eventually die without the supplemental addition of sulfur or iron fall! Buchholz from the Arboretum the birch trees, meaning they are better suited to smaller yards Arboretum. Plant breeders are finding new varieties to work in smaller yards, or large and majestic ones with excellent color...

Renaissance International Ipo Etf, What Streaming Service Has Phantom Of The Opera, Guide 1965 Watch Online, Fish And Chips Recipe Jamie Oliver, New Pier Ride, Kelly's Heroes Hulu, Gangsta Rap Songs, Paul Goldschmidt Family, How Tall Was Denny Miller,