River Birch
Betula nigra 
River birch is the only birch native to Missouri. It is found throughout Missouri in lowlands and along streambanks. Its ability to thrive on wet sites makes it useful for streambank stabilization. The attractive bark and its resistance to borers make river birch the preferred birch for landscaping.
Identifying Characteristics
- Height
- 60 ft
- Spread
- 40 ft
- Leaves
- alternate, simple, 1 l/2" - 3" long, oval to triangular with a sharp point at tip; edges doubly toothed, dark green above, pale yellow-green below
- Flowers
- flowers in catkins
- Fruit
- 1" long cone-like clusters of small winged seeds
- Bark
- light reddish-brown to cinnamon colored; peels off in thin papery layers
- Associated species
- sweetgum, pin oak, silver maple, green ash, cottonwood
- Ideal site conditions
- moist soilfull sun
- Value to man
- landscaping, erosion
- Value to wildlife
- dens
- Growth Rate
- fast
- Range
