In the landscape
Mass planting · Shade tree · Specimen · Lawn · Naturalized · Riparian · Woodland · Butterfly
Data sources
River Birch
Betula nigra · Tree
River Birch is a fast-growing tree, hardy in USDA zones 4-9, that matures to about 40–70 ft × 40–60 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with high water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect yellow and green blooms in spring. It attracts butterflies, moths and small mammals, stands up well to black walnut and compaction and deer.
- USDA zones
- 4-9
- Sun
- Full sun, Part shade
- Water
- High
- Mature size
- 40–70 ft × 40–60 ft
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry, Occasionally-wet
- Bloom color
- Yellow, Green
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Attracts
- Butterflies, Moths, Small mammals, Songbirds
- Tough against
- Black walnut, Compaction, Deer, Drought, Fire, Heat, Pollution, Wet soil, Wind
- Native to
- Eastern United States
Will it survive your winters?
We score River Birch’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.
Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.
More plants for your zone: Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9
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